A prominent television doctor has demystified the primary cause of migraines for countless women, pinpointing a specific hormonal mechanism as the major culprit.
Dr Amir Khan, a GP known for his health segments on TV and social media, provided a detailed physiological explanation for why migraines frequently flare up around a woman's menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, or in the perimenopause.
The Hormonal Connection Explained
The NHS describes a migraine as a severe, throbbing headache, typically on one side of the head, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. These painful episodes can persist for hours or even days.
Dr Khan emphasised that the key player is oestrogen. This hormone, he explained, is not only vital for the reproductive cycle but also has receptors throughout the brain. "When oestrogen is stable, the brain is calmer. But when oestrogen levels drop, suddenly the brain becomes more excitable, more sensitive, and more likely to trigger a migraine," he stated, as reported by the Mirror.
This drop in oestrogen directly impacts the trigeminal nerve pathway, the main circuit for migraine pain. Lower hormone levels make this nerve hypersensitive, causing it to release a chemical called CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide).
When Migraines Are Most Likely to Strike
Dr Khan identified three critical periods where oestrogen levels fall significantly, acting as major migraine triggers:
- Just before a period: This involves the steepest drop in oestrogen in the entire cycle and is the most significant trigger.
- Around ovulation: A smaller rise and fall in hormones can be enough to set off an attack.
- During perimenopause: Hormonal levels swing wildly, which is why many women develop migraines for the first time or see existing ones worsen dramatically in their 40s.
A 2023 study supports this, finding that one in five women of reproductive age suffers from migraine. This hormonal influence is also why, after puberty, women are up to three times more likely to be affected by migraines than men.
New Hope for Treatment
The discovery of CGRP's role has led to a breakthrough in treatment. "This is why the newest migraine medicines target CGRP directly," Dr Khan confirmed.
He also linked the drop in oestrogen to serotonin levels, which explains why hormonal migraines often come with nausea, mood changes, and light sensitivity. The key takeaway, according to the GP, is that these migraines are a recognised medical condition driven by physiology. He urges women not to simply endure the pain but to seek help, as identifying the hormonal pattern allows for much more effective, tailored treatment.
