Migraine is a neurological condition caused by a number of triggers, including stress, genetics, sensitivity to light or sound, odors and lack of sleep. This disorder affects women at a rate of three times more than men, which leads many researchers to believe that sex hormones play a pivotal role in migraines.
Migraine and Hormone Levels
Low estrogen levels that occur during menstruation and menopause are common migraine triggers. As evidence, migraines increase during the onset of menstruation, migraines typically decrease during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy when estrogen levels are high and migraines are common immediately post-partum when estrogen levels drop dramatically.
Migraine Testosterone Studies
Some doctors feel that migraine can occur as a result of testosterone deficiency and have had limited success by replacing testosterone levels in low testosterone migraine sufferers. Between July 2004 and February 2005, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Department of Neurology administered a testosterone treatment trial. Seven male and two female migraine sufferers with abnormally low testosterone levels underwent replacement therapy with either pure testosterone or a testosterone/estrogen combination. All patients achieved migraine freedom for the first 24 hours and four male patients achieved complete remission.
Testosterone Treatment for Migraine
Talking with a doctor about migraine headache can help determine the cause. In most cases, migraine can be treated with a prescription that does not involve hormone replacement. If you believe your migraines are caused by low testosterone levels, ask your doctor to analyze your hormone levels.
Women with low testosterone levels may also experience: fatigue; loss of muscle strength; accumulation of fat, especially around the abdomen; depression; increased risk of osteoporosis; increased risk of cardiovascular disease; vaginal dryness; lack of interest in sexual activity; painful sexual intercourse; sudden absence of menstruation; hot flashes; and the inability to have orgasms.
Testosterone therapy for migraine headaches is not currently widely available, as most practitioners would prefer administering a more common treatment, such as trigger control or preventive medications. However, testosterone is available in synthetic or natural forms prescribed as injections or creams for menopausal women and those with low testosterone levels. A complete physical exam and analysis of all major hormones is necessary to correctly diagnose any need for hormone replacement.
Tags: testosterone levels, estrogen levels, hormone replacement, increased risk, migraine sufferers, patients achieved