Some research suggests that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a risk factor for migraine and other diseases. However, the data on this link are incomplete, and scientists do not fully understand it.
This comes from a
Rates of migraine are
However, this is not the only potential connection between the two conditions. People with PCOS are also more likely to have depression and obesity,
Read on to learn more about PCOS and migraine.
A note about sex and gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
Early research on migraine and PCOS often did not find a connection between the conditions. However, since then, studies have found a correlation.
A
In the control group, 386 people, or 24.7%, reported having migraine. Among individuals with PCOS, 82 people, or 34.2%, reported having migraine.
Researchers
Usually, estrogen levels build up in the first half of the menstrual cycle, then begin to drop after ovulation, which occurs roughly halfway through the cycle. For people with hormonal migraine, the withdrawal of estrogen often coincides with an increase in symptoms.
However, the situation is different for those with PCOS. Females also have hormones known as androgens, which are typically higher in males but present in all individuals. In PCOS, the levels of these hormones can become elevated.
Although the body can convert androgens into estrogen, PCOS
This may affect migraine development or symptoms, but scientists are not yet sure how.
In addition to the direct effect of estrogen levels, there are some other potential connections between PCOS and migraine.
PCOS raises the risk of some other health conditions. These conditions may occur at the same time as PCOS and migraine. They may play a role in raising the risk of migraine.
For example, PCOS leads to a
The answer to this question will depend on the treatment a person wants to try.
Oral contraceptive pill
Oral contraceptives are typically the
People who experience migraine that worsens due to estrogen withdrawal can also
Some people may find their rate of migraine episodes increases when they start or stop hormonal birth control or that the treatment does not have much impact on their symptoms. A doctor may recommend trying different oral contraceptives if this is the case, as people can respond differently to different formulations.
It is worth noting that people who experience migraine with aura may not be able to take oral contraceptives containing estrogen at all. Aura is a change in sensory perception that can occur before a migraine headache.
Migraine with aura is a risk factor for stroke. As the combined pill
Insulin resistance drugs
Other treatments for PCOS
One drug doctors use to treat insulin resistance in PCOS is metformin, which a clinical trial is testing as a treatment for migraine. The researchers theorize that the drug may down-regulate pain pathways, but results have not confirmed this yet.
Fertility treatment
People with PCOS who undergo fertility treatment may take hormonal medications to increase ovulation. This can change a person’s hormonal balance, which may result in headaches.
No single “best” type of birth control will suit all people with PCOS and migraine. Some may find that oral birth control pills can both reduce their symptoms and offer contraception at the same time. However, it may take some trial and error to find one that suits a person.
If someone can control their PCOS and migraine symptoms with lifestyle and dietary changes alone, they may prefer not to alter their hormone levels. In these cases, nonhormonal options, such as condoms or the copper intrauterine device, may be preferable.
Whichever option a person chooses, it is important to remember that only barrier methods, such as condoms or dental dams, can protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Several lifestyle changes may help with PCOS and migraine, such as:
- Tracking symptoms: Some people with migraine find they have triggers that can set off a headache, in addition to hormonal changes. Identifying these triggers may help a person manage the condition. People can try keeping a migraine diary or using an app to track their symptoms. They can also consider any relevant factors that could have contributed to them, such as stress, sleep changes, or certain foods.
- Reducing stress: Stress can be a migraine trigger. Living with PCOS can also be stressful, especially for people who have fertility issues. A stress management plan, including support from loved ones, may help.
- Maintaining a moderate weight: This is important for people with PCOS, as one of the symptoms can be weight gain. Obesity is also a
risk factor for migraine, although it is currently unclear if treating this can also improve migraine symptoms. - Eating a nutritious diet: Diet is an important tool for weight maintenance, but it is also important to get enough nutrients. Some studies have linked deficiencies in
iron andmagnesium with migraine. If a person has a lot of food migraine triggers, they may wish to speak with a doctor about using supplements to fill in any gaps in their diet. - Getting vitamin D: Researchers believe there may be a connection between vitamin D deficiency and migraine, although more research is necessary to confirm this. Safe sunlight exposure or supplements can help people get enough daily vitamin D.
In addition to migraine, people with PCOS are also more vulnerable to other types of headaches.
A 2020 study followed 114 people with PCOS and 84 without the condition. People with PCOS were more likely to report headaches than those without, at 72.8% compared with 55%.
Tension headaches were the most common type of headache, with 52.6% of people with PCOS and 33.8% of controls experiencing them. People with PCOS were also more likely to report that headaches were severe enough to affect their professional lives.
The study found that among people with PCOS, overweight was an independent risk factor for headaches.
According to some studies, migraine is
PCOS treatment may help improve migraine, but a person may have to try multiple approaches to control the symptoms of both. Medications, diet, reducing stress, and avoiding migraine triggers may help manage both conditions.