Menstrual migraine: a double-blind trial of percutaneous estradiol.
The present study investigated whether administration of percutaneous estradiol for the 7 days encompassing menstruation (the paramenstruum) would be effective in alleviating menstrual migraine. The study was a double-blind cross-over placebo comparison of percutaneous estradiol in gel form. Twenty-two women who suffered from regular recurring menstrual migraine were studied during 2 assessment menstrual cycles, 4 treatment cycles (2 of estradiol gel, 2 of placebo gel), and 1 follow-up (no treatment) cycle. Women completed daily records of the occurrence and severity of migraine and medication used. Eighteen women completed the study. There was a significant reduction in the frequency of migraine in the paramenstruum and in the amount of medication taken during use of percutaneous estradiol. Women expressed a significant preference for continuation of therapy with percutaneous estradiol.
Dennerstein
L
L
National Centre for Women's Health in Society, University of Melbourne, Australia.
Morse
C
C
Burrows
G
G
Oats
J
J
Brown
J
J
Smith
M
M
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011897:Random Allocation
D005782:Gels; D004958:Estradiol