Hormonal influence in headache pain is born out by the fact that women between the ages of menstruation and menopause are three times more likely to have migraines than men of the same ages. Also, many female sufferers with chronic headaches notice enormous changes in the patterns of the headache pain with menstruation, during pregnancy, at menopause, and with the use of oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy.

Menstrual migraine is probably the most common headache problem for women. It has been estimated that about 60% of women with migraines can link them to their menstrual cycle. Usually there is nothing wrong with the woman's hormonal cycles, only with the way her body reacts to them. Successful treatment at The Headache Clinic will break the link between the hormonal fluctuations and the headache pain. By identifying and treating the underlying causes of the headache pain the natural hormonal cycle is allowed to continue uninterrupted.

Weight gain is one of the more common side effects of many medications prescribed for headaches. Examples of these medications are amitriptyline (Tryptanol, Trepiline), calcium channel blockers such as verapamil, and anti-epileptic drugs such as divalproex sodium (Epilim). Weight gain can be both physically and mentally distressing - especially when it coincides with other difficulties such as headaches and stress in the family or at home. See the section on Headaches and Drepression, for more information.