Headache in Women Publisher



Jafari E¹ Show Affiliations
Source: Headache and Migraine in Practice Published:2022

Abstract

Headache is common in women, with the tension type and migraine being the most frequent types. Women who suffer from headache usually experience a greater burden of disease, longer-lasting attacks, and higher rates of relapse. The influence of hormonal changes during the female lifecycle, including menarche, oral contraceptive use, pregnancy, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy on the course of headaches, is discussed in this chapter. Pregnancy and the postpartum period are frequently associated with an increased risk of secondary headaches. Evaluation of the patient history, headache features, drug history, and a complete examination are important to rule out secondary headaches. However, most headaches during pregnancy are primary headaches. If nonpharmacological intervention is inadequate, medical treatment should be considered for women with severe or prolonged headaches using the safest drug at the lowest dose. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.