Possible role of gonadal hormones as triggering factors in migraine
Horowski, R.; Runge, I.
Functional Neurology 1(4): 405-414
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0393-5264 PMID: 3609871 Document Number: 285816
There is a large evidence that fluctuating peripheral gonadal hormones can trigger migraine attacks in women. It has been proposed that the main factor involved is a rapid fall in circulating estrogen levels. We have analysed migraine and headache attacks reported in some recent studies involving oral contraceptives and propose that also at least in a part of these cases, the withdrawal of the exogenous estrogens initiates the attack. Possible mechanisms are discussed and further studies are proposed.