Researchers did not find any difference in number of self-reported premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms between migraineurs with and without menstrual migraine (MM), according to a recent study. A total of 237 women from the general population who self-reported migraine in at least 50% of their menstrual periods were invited to a clinical interview and diagnosed by a neurologist. All women were asked to complete a self-administered form containing 11 questions about PMS symptoms adapted from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. In addition, each participant completed the Headache Impact test (HIT-6) and Migraine Disability Assessment Score (MIDAS). They found:
- 193 women returned a complete PMS questionnaire, of which 67 women were excluded from the analyses due to current use of hormonal contraception (n=61) or because they did not fulfill the ICHD-criteria for migraine (n=6).
- Among the remaining 126 migraineurs, 78 had MM and 48 had non-menstrually related migraine.
- PMS symptoms were equally frequent in migraineurs with and without MM (5.4 vs 5.9).
- Women with MM reported more migraine days/month, longer lasting migraine attacks, and higher HIT-6 scores than those without MM, but MIDAS scores were similar.
Vetvik KG, MacGregor EA, Lundqyist C, Russell MB. Symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in female migraineurs with and without menstrual migraine. [Published online ahead of print October 17, 2018]. J Headache Pain . doi:10.1186/s10194-018-0931-6.