8.3.3 Estrogen-withdrawal headacheHartmut Gobel2018-01-31T11:35:36+00:00

Description:

Headache or migraine developing within 5 days after daily consumption of exogenous estrogen for 3 weeks or longer, which has been interrupted (usually during the pill-free interval of combined oral contraception or following a course of replacement or supplementary estrogen). It resolves spontaneously within 3 days in the absence of further consumption.

Diagnostic criteria:

1. Headache or migraine fulfilling criterion C
2. Daily use of exogenous estrogen for ≥3 weeks, which has been interrupted
3. Evidence of causation demonstrated by both of the following:
   1. headache or migraine has developed within 5 days after the last use of estrogen
   2. headache or migraine has resolved within 3 days of its onset
4. Not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis.

Comment:

Estrogen-withdrawal following cessation of a course of exogenous estrogens (such as during the pill-free interval of combined oral contraceptives or following a course of replacement or supplementary estrogen) can induce headache and/or migraine.