Migraine and perimenopause

Perimenopause and migraine are closely linked. The hormonal instability during the perimenopausal period not only causes vasomotor symptoms and mood disturbances, but also increases migraine incidence. Women do report new onset migraine during this period, but the increased incidence is reported by women with menstrually related migraine (MRM). The hormonal fluctuations can be stabilized with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), while simultaneously improving the migraine in some patients. The increased stroke risk in women with migraine with aura (MA) should be taken into consideration when intending to treat perimenopausal women with migraine with HRT.