The experiences of midlife women with migraines.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the experiences of midlife women with migraines.


METHODS
Qualitative data were collected in two consecutive studies, using open-ended interviews, focus groups, and online discussion boards. Interpretive methods were used for analysis.


RESULTS
Three patterns were identified: Changing Headache Patterns; Predicting, Preventing, and Controlling Headaches; and Keeping on the Move. These patterns indicated how women's headaches changed over time, how headaches were envisioned within the context of their lives, what strategies were used to meet work and home responsibilities, and how women controlled their headaches while maintaining a sense of perspective.


CONCLUSIONS
Many midlife women with migraines receive inadequate or inappropriate treatment, and better dissemination of current diagnostic and treatment guidelines is necessary. Ongoing research is needed to increase understanding of how this problem affects midlife women's lives and of what interventions might prevent or alleviate migraine discomfort.
Moloney
Margaret F
MF
Byrdine F Lewis School of Nursing, Georgia State University, Atlanta 30302-4019, USA. mmoloney@gsu.edu
Strickland
Ora L
OL
DeRossett
Sarah E
SE
Melby
Melissa K
MK
Dietrich
Alexa S
AS
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D047648:Perimenopause / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014930:Women / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*