Women who suffer from migraines appear to experience them with greater frequency when they begin to transition into menopause. The finding is based on responses to a survey that involved more than 3600 women between the ages of 35 and 65.

Roughly one-third were premenopausal. Another third were in the transitional phase known as peri-menopause the final third had already entered menopause. Just 8% of the women who had not yet begun the transition to menopause were found to experience frequent headaches meaning 10 or more per month. However, that figure rose to about 12% in both the transitional group and the menopause group. The study team concluded that women in the peri-menopause and menopause groups were therefore 50 to 60% more likely to suffer from frequent migraines.

But why? The investigators believe hormonal changes may be the reason, given that estrogen levels drop during both the transition to menopause and during menopause itself.

I’m Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV with the news doctors are reading health news for healthier living.

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