Abstract
BackgroundCyclic hormonal fluctuations influence migraine incidence and severity. Previously, we described reduced menstrual cyclicity in estradiol levels and dermal blood flow reaction to capsaicin in female migraineurs. It is unclear whether pain perception in women with migraine is influenced by the menstrual cycle.MethodsWomen with menstrually-related migraine (n = 14), healthy age-matched controls (n = 10) and postmenopausal women (n = 15) were asked to grade trigeminal and non-trigeminal painful stimuli on a numeric pain rating scale on menstrual cycle day 19–21 (mid-luteal) and day 1–2 (early follicular).ResultsIn women with menstrually-related migraine, trigeminal pain remained low throughout the cycle. Controls showed increased trigeminal pain during the mid-luteal phase compared to the early follicular phase. Changes throughout the cycle were significantly different between women with MRM and controls.ConclusionThe compromised menstrual cyclicity of pain perception in women with menstrually-related migraine parallels our earlier findings on estradiol levels and dermal blood flow.
Highlights
Migraine manifestation is closely associated with fluctuations of sex hormone levels (1)
We previously reported that menstrual cyclicity of estradiol levels and forehead dermal blood flow (DBF) response to capsaicin, a measure for trigeminal nervemediated microvascular reactivity, are compromised in women with menstrually-related migraine (MRM) (4)
With this case-control study, we aimed to explore differences in pain perception in women with MRM after peak estradiol levels drop in the menstrual cycle compared to an interval with relatively steady, high estradiol levels
Summary
Migraine manifestation is closely associated with fluctuations of sex hormone levels (1). We previously reported that menstrual cyclicity of estradiol levels and forehead dermal blood flow (DBF) response to capsaicin, a measure for trigeminal nervemediated microvascular reactivity, are compromised in women with MRM (4). Besides this neurovascular mechanism, pain perception may be influenced by changes during the menstrual cycle. We described reduced menstrual cyclicity in estradiol levels and dermal blood flow reaction to capsaicin in female migraineurs It is unclear whether pain perception in women with migraine is influenced by the menstrual cycle. Conclusion: The compromised menstrual cyclicity of pain perception in women with menstrually-related migraine parallels our earlier findings on estradiol levels and dermal blood flow
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