Node Smith, ND
A new study shows that the female sex hormone, estrogen, may play a role in the development of migraines in men.1 It is generally accepted that the sex hormone does play a role in migraine for women, but has never been researched in men. This study was published in the online edition of Neurology.
Migraines marked by frequent headaches of insurmountable severity
Migraines are a neurological disorder that can be disabling. They are marked by frequent headaches of insurmountable severity. Women of childbearing age are at least 3 times more likely to suffer from migraines than men. Estrogen levels have been found to influence when women experience migraines, and also the severity of an episode. Recently, a relationship of higher levels of estrogen to lower levels of testosterone have been seen to influence migraines in men as well.
Small migraine study
The study was small, comparing 17 men with migraines to 22 without. The average age was 47 years, and migraine sufferers had migraines an average of 3 times monthly. No one in the study was taking medication known to affect hormone levels. All participants were healthy weight, and were matched for age and body mass.
Estradiol and testosterone measured in blood
Estradiol and testosterone was measured in blood. Four samples were taken daily from each participant on a single day, 3 hours a part. For individuals experiencing migraine, the first sample was taken on a non-migraine day, then on each subsequent day until migraine was experienced.
Men who experienced migraines had higher levels of estrogen between episodes
It was seen that men who experienced migraines had higher levels of estrogen between episodes, 97 pm/L, compared to 69 pmol/L in non-migraine men. Testosterone was roughly the same in both groups. The ratio of testosterone to estrogen was therefore much lower in the migraine group – 3.9 versus 5.0. Interestingly, testosterone levels were seen to increase 24 hours before migraine in those who had prodromal symptoms such as fatigue, muscle stiffness and food cravings.
Relative testosterone deficiency
Participants were asked about symptoms that may indicate a relative testosterone deficiency, such as alterations in mood, energy, as well as sexual dysfunction. 61 percent of the migraine group complained of these symptoms versus 27 percent of the control group.
Source:
- van Oosterhout WPJ, Schoonman GG, van Zwet EW, Female sex hormones in men with migraine. Neurology Jun 2018, 10.1212/WNL.0000000000005855; DOI:10.1212/WNL.0000000000005855
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Node Smith, ND, is a naturopathic physician in Portland, OR and associate editor for NDNR. He has been instrumental in maintaining a firm connection to the philosophy and heritage of naturopathic medicine among the next generation of docs. He helped found the first multi-generational experiential retreat, which brings elders, alumni, and students together for a weekend camp-out where naturopathic medicine and medical philosophy are experienced in nature. Four years ago he helped found the non-profit, Association for Naturopathic ReVitalization (ANR), for which he serves as the board chairman. ANR has a mission to inspire health practitioners to embody the naturopathic principles through experiential education. Node also has a firm belief that the next era of naturopathic medicine will see a resurgence of in-patient facilities which use fasting, earthing, hydrotherapy and homeopathy to bring people back from chronic diseases of modern living; he is involved in numerous conversations and projects to bring about this vision.
