Migraine: More Than Just a Headache

Migraine is increasingly recognized as a systemic neurological condition, with head pain being only one facet of a complex disorder. Many individuals, particularly women, experience debilitating fatigue, cognitive fog, and body aches that overshadow head pain, historically leading to misdiagnoses. The variability and lack of control over triggers, such as puberty and hormonal shifts during reproductive years and perimenopause, significantly impact sufferers.

Hormonal fluctuations can lead to frequent attacks, with some women experiencing migraines for up to half the month. In perimenopause, triggers can become almost daily occurrences, lowering the nervous system's threshold for attacks. This intricate link between migraine and hormonal health highlights the need for integrated care involving both neurologists and gynecologists.

While treatments like gepants have shown promise and are increasingly available through GPs, access to these medications can be inconsistent, creating a disparity in care. For migraine to be effectively managed, medicine must acknowledge it as a multi-system, genetic condition, ensuring that those affected, predominantly women, receive appropriate and timely treatment.