title: Possible role of gonadal hormones as triggering factors in migraine.
abstract: There is a large evidence that fluctuating peripheral gonadal hormones can trigger migraine attacks in women. It has been proposed that the main factor involved is a rapid fall in circulating estrogen levels. We have analysed migraine and headache attacks reported in some recent studies involving oral contraceptives and propose that also at least in a part of these cases, the withdrawal of the exogenous estrogens initiates the attack. Possible mechanisms are discussed and further studies are proposed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D004967:Estrogens; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D011374:Progesterone