Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Migraine Headache, Is There Any Correlation?

Vol. 61, No. 1, 2009

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Original Paper

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Migraine Headache, Is There Any Correlation?
S. Pourabolghasem^a, S. Najmi^b, M.A. Arami^c

^aDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tabriz University (Medical Sciences), Taleghani Hospital,
^bConsultant Neurologist, Tabriz University (Medical Sciences), Razi Hospital, Tabriz,
^cConsultant Neurologist, Neurology Clinic, Milad General Hospital, Tehran, Iran

Address of Corresponding Author

Eur Neurol 2009;61:42-45 (DOI: 10.1159/000165349)

Key Words

Migraine
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Androgens

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the role of some sex hormones in migraine headaches, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of headache, especially migraine, in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) compared with women without this disease. Methods: One hundred and thirty-three women with PCO and 107 controls were interviewed by 2 neurologists experienced in headache diagnosis. The headache disorders were classified according to the International Headache Society criteria. The statistical significance was determined using the chi ² test, and a p value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Forty-five women (33.8%) of the 133 cases without PCO complained of headache. Of the PCO patients, 48 women (44.9%) suffered from headache. The prevalence of headache was not significantly higher among women with PCO (p = 0.85). The same results were found for migraine headache (p = 0.13). Conclusion: Migraine is not more frequent in women with PCO. It was concluded that male sex hormones and especially testosterone do not play an important role in the exacerbation of migraine headache.

Author Contacts

Mohammad Ali Arami
Neurology Clinic, Milad General Hospital
Hemmat Highway
Tehran (Iran)
Tel. +98 21 2235 0633, Fax +98 21 2235 0634, E-Mail arami_ma@yahoo.com

Article Information

Received: January 23, 2008
Accepted: June 5, 2008
Published online: October 24, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 4
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 12

Medline Abstract (ID 18948700)

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