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April 18,
2005
| "We're going to identify needs in this
area and put together educational materials for patients and health care
providers. From that, we'll be able to give people good education,
lifestyle tips, and information on how to maintain a good quality of live
while living with Menstrual Migraine."
Suzanne Simons
Executive Director, National Headache Foundation |
 The
National Headache Foundation (NHF) has announced the formation of the National
Menstrual Migraine Coalition to raise awareness of a distinct, but little known
Migraine condition, estimated to affect nearly 13 million women in the U.S.
Menstrual Migraines are often severe, long-duration Migraines that have a higher
probability of recurrence than other Migraines. The NHF has assembled a group of
leading headache specialists and others to form the coalition. The National
Menstrual Migraine Coalition is sponsored through an educational grant from Endo
Pharmaceuticals. A special web site for the Coalition has been set up at
www.menstrualmigraine.org. Tennis
pro Serena Williams, who suffers with Menstrual Migraine is acting as a
spokesperson for the Coalition.
“Women often tolerate menstrual Migraine pain without understanding that it is
treatable,” said Suzanne Simons, executive director of the National Headache
Foundation. “Women will be able to get the information they need at our web site
and then talk to their healthcare providers if they think they might suffer from
menstrual Migraines.”
Up to 60 percent of Migraines in women are menstrually related. Menstrual
Migraines can have a serious and debilitating impact on women’s lives because
they last longer than other Migraines, come back more often and are harder to
treat. Many women may not realize that the severe, recurring headache they get
during menstruation could be a menstrual Migraine. Women who experience
headaches around their period for three months or longer should definitely
consult their doctors.
“Doctors and patients alike should be better informed about the signs and
symptoms of menstrual Migraine,” said Larry Newman, M.D., Director of the
Headache Institute at Roosevelt Hospital, and Chair of the National Menstrual
Migraine Coalition. “If we can improve awareness of menstrual Migraine as a
distinct condition, diagnosis should improve, and more women will gain access to
appropriate treatment.”
The coalition will help educate both patients and healthcare providers about the
prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of menstrual Migraines. Among its
activities, it will survey women Migraine sufferers to identify their needs and
then help to educate patients and their healthcare providers about how to better
manage this unique type of Migraine. Information on headache causes and
treatment is available at the NHF web site,
www.headaches.org.
Menstrual Migraine
Menstrual Migraines can be classified in two types: pure menstrual Migraines and
menstrually related Migraines (MRM). Pure menstrual Migraines occur exclusively
during menstruation. Women who suffer from MRM consistently experience Migraines
during their menstrual cycle but may also suffer from Migraines at other times
of the month. Menstrual Migraine pain can disrupt a women’s ability to function
for up to three days at a time. While the exact causes of menstrual Migraine are
uncertain, the drop in estrogen levels during the menstrual cycle may trigger a
menstrual Migraine.
Migraine Disease
Migraine is a genetic neurological disease affecting nearly 33 million
Americans. Migraine disease can be disabling, as evidenced by missed days of
work, lost time with family and friends, and a disrupted daily routine. Migraine
attacks result in 112 million bedridden days per year for U.S. Migraineurs
alone. The best estimate is that the cost to U.S. industry of absenteeism and
reduced productivity due to Migraine is $13 billion dollars per year and that
U.S. Migraineurs lose more than 157 million workdays each year to Migraine
attacks.
Migraine is characterized by
recurrent, usually painful headaches lasting 4 to 72 hours, when untreated, and
with symptoms that may include moderate to severe headache pain that is
aggravated by routine activity, throbbing head pain, head pain located on one
side of the head, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and/or sound. In
some cases, the headache phase of a Migraine attack does not occur, so it is
possible to have a Migraine without the headache.
Summary
Kudos to the National Headache Foundation for forming the National Menstrual
Migraine Coalition and to Endo Pharmaceuticals for the grant funding the
project. One of the most frustrating things women have told me is that their
doctors have actually recommended a hysterectomy as treatment for their
Menstrually Associated Migraines (MAM). Unfortunately, I've that advice is still
given all too frequently, and it's not the answer. There is no guarantee that a
hysterectomy will reduce the frequency or severity of MAM. In fact, a
hysterectomy could increase the frequency and severity or make no difference at
all. It's time for this educational initiative. Bravo.
Press Release: "National Headache Foundation
Announces First Menstrual Migraine Coalition to Educate Millions of Women and
Their Healthcare Providers." Chicago. April 12, 2005.
Telephone Interview: Suzanne Simons, Executive
Director, National Headache Foundation. April, 2005.
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