Increased headache prevalence in female adolescents and adult women with early menarche. The Head-HUNT Studies

K. L. Aegidius

Norwegian National Headache Centre, St. Olav’s University Hospital, Trondheim, and Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

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J.-A. Zwart,

J.-A. Zwart

Norwegian National Headache Centre, St. Olav’s University Hospital, Trondheim, and Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo

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K. Hagen,

K. Hagen

Norwegian National Headache Centre, St. Olav’s University Hospital, Trondheim, and Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

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G. Dyb,

G. Dyb

Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

National Centre of Violence and Traumatic Stress and University of Oslo

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T. L. Holmen,

T. L. Holmen

HUNT research centre, Institute of Public Health and General Practice, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

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L. J. Stovner,

L. J. Stovner

Norwegian National Headache Centre, St. Olav’s University Hospital, Trondheim, and Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

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K. L. Aegidius,

K. L. Aegidius

Norwegian National Headache Centre, St. Olav’s University Hospital, Trondheim, and Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

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J.-A. Zwart,

J.-A. Zwart

Norwegian National Headache Centre, St. Olav’s University Hospital, Trondheim, and Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo

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K. Hagen,

K. Hagen

Norwegian National Headache Centre, St. Olav’s University Hospital, Trondheim, and Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

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G. Dyb,

G. Dyb

Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

National Centre of Violence and Traumatic Stress and University of Oslo

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T. L. Holmen,

T. L. Holmen

HUNT research centre, Institute of Public Health and General Practice, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

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L. J. Stovner,

L. J. Stovner

Norwegian National Headache Centre, St. Olav’s University Hospital, Trondheim, and Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

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First published: 17 January 2011

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-1331.2010.03143.x

Citations: 44

Karen L. Aegidius, MD, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (tel.: +45 60891960; fax: +45 35453247; e-mail: [email protected]).

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Abstract

Background: Age at menarche is associated with cardiovascular events and lifestyle factors such as body mass index (BMI), certain women’s diseases like breast cancer and endometriosis and with occurrence of certain physical symptoms during puberty. It is unclear whether age at menarche is an independent determinant of headache.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore age of menarche in relation to headache prevalence in a large population-based study of both adolescents and adult women (HUNT).

Methods: In the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study in Norway 1995–97 (HUNT 2), a total of 26 636 (57%) of 46 506 invited women responded to questions regarding menarche and headache (Head-HUNT). In the youth part of HUNT 2, 3196 female students were interviewed about their headache complaints and 2766 (87%) responded to questions regarding menarche. All the final analyses were adjusted for age, use of oral contraceptives and BMI, and for adults also for educational level.

Results: Headache was more prevalent amongst females with menarche ≤ 12 years, both amongst adolescents (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.1–1.5) and adults (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 1.1–1.2), evident for migraine and non-migrainous headache.

Conclusion: Headache, both migraine and non-migrainous headache, was more prevalent amongst both adolescents and adult females with early menarche. Early menarche may increase headache susceptibility, or be a consequence of a common pathogenetic factor, e.g., sensitivity to estrogens.

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Volume18, Issue2

February 2011

Pages 321-328

Increased headache prevalence in female adolescents and adult women with early menarche. The Head-HUNT Studies

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Increased headache prevalence in female adolescents and adult women with early menarche. The Head-HUNT Studies

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