Migraine is primarily a female disorder that has been associated with sex hormones. Throughout the reproductive years, the migraine prevalence is about three times more in women than in men. The occurrence of migraine may be influenced by menarche, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Migraine usually starts after menarche, and occurs few days before or during menstrual cycle. The period of highest chances for migraine in susceptible women corresponds to estrogen withdrawal in the late luteal and early follicular phases of the menstrual cycle. This review concludes that migraine particularly affects women due to the hormonal changes throughout their lifecycle.
