Interdisciplinary diagnostics and treatment of migraine in women

Women of reproductive age are affected by migraine much more frequently than men of the same age. Studies have shown that estrogens can indirectly influence factors activating and inhibiting migraine. In addition, a connection is assumed between the occurrence of menstrual migraine and the estradiol fluctuations in the menstrual cycle. To prevent menstrual migraine, various hormone preparations were also investigated with the aim of reducing hormonal concentration fluctuations. Among other things, the use of combined hormonal contraceptives in long cycles has been proven to be beneficial in this situation. It must be noted that migraine patients per se have a risk of stroke that is approximately twice as high as that of healthy controls. Combined hormonal contraceptives should therefore not be prescribed in cases of migraine with aura or migraine without aura with cardiovascular risk factors.