Migraines

Migraine during pregnancy: What to expect and how to help yourself

Migraine is not just a severe headache, but a complex neurological disorder accompanied by pulsating, often unilateral pain, nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light and sound. Pregnancy can unpredictably affect the course of migraine: for some women it becomes a real relief, while for others it is a period of exacerbation.

Hormonal influence on migraine

The fluctuations of estrogen levels play a key role in the development of migraine. That is why many women suffer from migraine during menstruation.

• Improvement: About 60-70% of women who suffered from migraine before pregnancy report a significant improvement or complete disappearance of attacks in the second and third trimesters. This is related to the fact that estrogen levels are consistently high during this period, without sharp drops.
• Worsening or first onset: In some women, conversely, pregnancy can trigger the first migraine attacks or worsen their course, especially in the first trimester due to abrupt hormonal spikes.

Treatment of migraine in pregnant women

This is the main challenge, as most usual migraine medications (triptans, non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen) are contraindicated or not recommended during pregnancy. Therefore the focus shifts to non‑pharmacological methods and prevention.

It is important to keep a diary to track possible attack triggers (stress, certain foods, lack of sleep). Discussing safe treatment methods with a neurologist and gynecologist is mandatory. Read more about medication safety in the article "Medications during pregnancy".