Jealousy in women with migraine: a cross-sectional case-control study

Daphne S Van Casteren,Antoinette Maassenvandenbrink,Florine A C Van Willigenburg,Gisela M Terwindt

doi:10.1186/s10194-020-01114-5

Daphne S Van Casteren, Antoinette Maassenvandenbrink + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-020-01114-5

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Abstract

BackgroundEstrogen influences susceptibility to migraine attacks and it has been suggested to affect jealousy in romantic relationships in women. Therefore, we hypothesized that migraine women may be more jealous.MethodsJealousy levels and hormonal status were determined based on a cross-sectional, web-based, questionnaire study among female migraine patients and controls. A random sample of participants was selected from a validated migraine database. Participants with a serious and intimate monogamous relationship were included (n = 498) and divided into the following subgroups: menstrual migraine (n = 167), non-menstrual migraine (n = 103), postmenopausal migraine (n = 117), and premenopausal (n = 57) and postmenopausal (n = 54) controls. The primary outcome was the difference in mean jealousy levels between patients with menstrual migraine, non-menstrual migraine and premenopausal controls. Results were analyzed with a generalized linear model adjusting for age, relationship duration and hormonal status (including oral contraceptive use). Additionally, the difference in jealousy levels between postmenopausal migraine patients and controls was assessed. Previous research was replicated by evaluating the effect of combined oral contraceptives on jealousy.ResultsJealousy levels were higher in menstrual migraine patients compared to controls (mean difference ± SE: 3.87 ± 1.09, p = 0.001), and non-menstrual migraine patients compared to controls (4.98 ± 1.18, p < 0.001). No difference in jealousy was found between postmenopausal migraine patients and controls (− 0.32 ± 1.24, p = 0.798). Women using combined oral contraceptives were more jealous compared to non-users with a regular menstrual cycle (2.32 ± 1.03, p = 0.025).ConclusionYoung women with migraine are more jealous within a romantic partnership.

Highlights

Estrogen influences susceptibility to migraine attacks and it has been suggested to affect jealousy in romantic relationships in women
The exact pathophysiological underlying mechanism remains unclear, previous research has suggested that fluctuations in estrogen van Casteren et al The Journal of Headache and Pain (2020) 21:51 levels, possibly the rate of decrease in estrogen, may affect the susceptibility to migraine attacks in women and/or higher estrogen levels may be implicated in both sexes [2, 6–9]
The majority of premenopausal migraine patients was classified as menstrual migraine (MM) (62%), of which 38% fulfilled the criteria of migraine with aura

Summary

Introduction

Estrogen influences susceptibility to migraine attacks and it has been suggested to affect jealousy in romantic relationships in women. Sex hormones have a major influence on migraine, appearing from a three times higher migraine prevalence in premenopausal women compared to men, an increase in attack frequency during menopausal transition, and a postmenopausal decrease of symptoms [1–3]. The fluctuation of estrogen prior to menstruation is linked to an increased susceptibility to an upcoming attack [4]. The exact pathophysiological underlying mechanism remains unclear, previous research has suggested that fluctuations in estrogen van Casteren et al The Journal of Headache and Pain (2020) 21:51 levels, possibly the rate of decrease in estrogen, may affect the susceptibility to migraine attacks in women and/or higher estrogen levels may be implicated in both sexes [2, 6–9]

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