THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STRESS, HEADACHE, AND THE MENSTRUAL-CYCLE INYOUNG FEMALE MIGRAINEURS

This study examined the relationship between the menstrual cycle, the stress process. and migraines. Women migraineurs (N=12) and a matched control sample (N=12) completed a set of questionnaires assessing stre ss, appraisal, and coping at premenses, menses. and ovulation. In addi tion, migraineurs completed a month of daily headache recording. Analy ses revealed that the menstrual cycle affected subjects' use of coping strategies and migraineurs' headache activity. Analyses also showed t hat the covariation between stress and migraine varied across the mens trual cycle. These results support the hypothesis of a three-way relat ionship between menstrual cycle, stress, and migraine. We suggest that physiological and/or psychological changes associated with premenses may enhance or strengthen the relationship between stress and migraine .