Medical experts say that women are more prone to migraines due to hormonal fluctuations, especially in the levels of estrogen and progesterone, and the number of women suffering from this condition is more than three times higher than men.
Migraine is commonly known as half head pain (though it is not always limited to one side of the head). Generally, recurring headaches at intervals are also referred to as migraines.
In addition to severe head pain, migraines can cause other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, temporary vision problems, and sensitivity to bright sunlight, loud noises, or strong smells (pleasant or unpleasant) all of which can disrupt or even paralyze daily life.
Experts state that migraine is not just a severe headache but a complex neurological condition that processes sensory information (related to sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste) abnormally.
People with migraines may experience sensitivity to light, sound, smell, touch, or taste, as well as pulsating pain, dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
Typically, a migraine attack can last from 4 hours to 3 days or even longer.
According to a report published on a medical website, migraine is more common in women than men. However, during childhood, the rate of migraine is almost equal among boys and girls.
Experts note that after puberty, the prevalence of migraine becomes two to three times higher in women. According to an Australian study, one in three women and one in fifteen men suffer from migraines.
Experts explain that after puberty, women’s bodies produce higher levels of estrogen and progesterone, which can trigger migraines.
They further add that when these hormones drop particularly before menstruation, during the first trimester of pregnancy, or after childbirth migraine attacks can become more frequent.
Experts say that a sudden drop in estrogen levels can trigger a brain process called cortical spreading depression, which leads to migraine attacks.
During pregnancy, hormonal levels change rapidly, especially in the first three months, which can increase the risk of migraines. Similarly, after childbirth, the sudden drop in hormone levels can also worsen attacks.
Research also shows that migraines may run in families, especially from mothers to children, because mitochondria (the parts of cells responsible for energy production) are inherited from the mother.
Additionally, stress, lack of sleep, and hunger can worsen migraines, while stress, anxiety, and depression have a strong connection with migraine attacks in women.
