Menstrual cycle and gynecologic pathology in menstrual-related migraine

Abstract

Migraine is the first most frequent cause of disability among women of reproductive age globally, and up to 60% of patients note the association of headache attacks with menstruation.Objective: to determine the features of menstrual cycle and gynecologic pathology in women with menstrual-related migraine (MRM).Patients and methods. A prospective comparative study included 69 women of reproductive age with a migraine diagnosis who did not receive hormonal contraception. Depending on the association of migraine attacks with menstruation (according to headache diaries), the patients were divided into two groups: the 1st group consisted of 44 patients with MRM; group 2 — 25 patients with non-menstrual migraine (without the association of attacks with menstruation).Results and discussion. Patients with MRM had heavier menstrual bleeding, longer menstruations (more than six days), abnormal menstrual cycle length and regularity, dysmenorrhea. In addition, the obtained data indicate a comorbid estrogen-associated gynecological pathology (endometriosis, adenomyosis, endometrial polyps, myoma) in MRM.Conclusion. Presumably, the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis dysfunction plays the leading role in the MRM. It presents with menstrual cycle abnormalities and increased presence of estrogen-associated gynecological pathology, which should be considered during patient evaluation and suggesting recommendations.

Keywords

• menstrual-related migraine
• non-menstrual migraine
• migraine without aura
• estrogen
• gynecologic pathology