Why Women Have More Headaches

Three women are afflicted with migraine for every one man. Between 18 and 25% of women experience migraine. Not only are women more prone to developing migraine than men, they are also more prone to chronic migraine (migraine that is present for more than 15 days every month).

But why is that?

There are many possible reasons why women suffer more migraines than men.

1. It's all in our heads.

Or, rather, our brains. Recent neurological studies have shown that migraines may be caused by a phenomenon called cortical-spreading depression (CSD). In CSD, waves of activity spread across the brain. This is believed to be partly responsible for migraine (not only the headache, but also visual disturbance, nausea and other symptoms). 

Women experience more CSD than men, and also experience CSD easier than men.

The good news is that a medication is being tested (memantine), which reduces CSD and has shown to be successful in preventing migraine. This is true particularly in patients who have had little or no success with other commonly-used migraine medications.

2. Jaw Tension

Both men and women may grind their jaw, especially at night. Over time, jaw grinding can lead to tension headaches, and even migraine. However, Worcestershire dentist Kate Stokes says that men are more likely to wear down their teeth while women are more likely to get headaches. This is partly due to women's jaw muscles tiring more easily.

Dr. Stokes says:

"The head pain caused by jaw problems can be felt in the temples, behind the eyes, in a band around the head and in the back of the neck."

If jaw grinding or tension is the cause of your headache, you may benefit from having occlusal (dental) splints made to wear over your teeth at night. For headache-sufferers, the splint is made of soft plastic, and is designed to prevent grinding. Your dentist can make it for you. 

Some sites offer to sell cheap splints and mouth guards online, which sellers may claim will work just as effectively. Do not buy them. An occlusal splint has to be made to fit you, so it fits perfectly when you bite together. An incorrect dental splint could do more harm than good.

3. It's That Time of Month

10% of women, and 50% of women who experience migraine, get menstrual migraine, most commonly in the two days before a menstrual period and the first three days of a period. They're caused by falling levels of oestrogen.

To find out if you're suffering menstrual migraine, try keeping a diary for three months to track your migraine attacks and the days you have a menstrual period.

READ Treating Menstrual Problems with Yoga

Treatment for menstrual migraine depends a lot on your menstrual periods:

• For women with migraine and heavy and/or painful periods: Mefenamic Acid can be effective. 500mg 3-4 times a day. You can start before your period, if you're regular.
• For women with regular menstrual migraines: you can try Combined Hormonal Contraceptive (such as the Pill or patches), and take several months back-to-back and reduce the frequency of your migraine. Some women should not take combined hormonal contraceptives, such as: the over-35s, smokers, women with a history of migraine with aura.