Menstruation triggers migraines in many women through the drop in estrogen levels.

Is it true that menstruation triggers migraines in many women through the drop in estrogen levels?

Unclear. Several reviews support the estrogen-withdrawal hypothesis of menstrual migraine, with one calling it the most widely accepted explanation and another describing estrogen withdrawal as a well-known trigger; however, these sources present it as a leading hypothesis in susceptible women rather than a settled mechanism, and one notes conflicting results.

Verdict: PARTIAL LEAN · 5 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 2 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

SK, A., A, A., N, A., R, M. F. A., F, A., M, M. O. A., A, S. A. A., A, L. M. A., B, H. M. A., K, A. H. A., S, A. K. A., & N, A. (2026). Hormonal Contraceptives and Migraine Frequency and Severity in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.107841

Menstrual migraine is caused by estrogen withdrawal: revisiting the evidence - PMC Lock. (n.d.). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-023-01664-4

Endocrine Triggers of Migraine: A Comprehensive Review. (2025). doi.org. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15735354

Hormonal Changes Throughout Life in Women. (n.d.). cir.nii.ac.jp. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4610.2006.00554.x

3rd, G. F., J, M., H, N., MA, O., D, Y., N, S., N, R., & L, E. (2024). How Sex Hormones Affect Migraine: An Interdisciplinary Preclinical Research Panel Review.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14020184