VHI’s Dr Bernadette Carr: migraine and hip pain

I am a woman in my mid 30s. I have had migraine headaches for the last ten years and I can control them most of the time. 

Over the last six months, I have had a migraine every month in the days before my period starts and the first couple of days of the period. Could they be related?

Most migraine attacks happen for no apparent reason, however, it is known a range of factors can increase the likelihood of attacks. They are often triggered by periods and what is known as ‘menstrual migraine’ occurs between two days before the start and three days after the start of menstruation in at least two out of three consecutive menstrual cycles. Women who can manage their migraines at other times may find it more problematic at this time. There is a fall in oestrogen levels in the days leading up to a period and it is thought that this drop triggers a migraine.