The primary aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of cold-induce
d headache and to test if it is associated with migraine. Women attending a
population-based mammography screening programme were asked to participate
in the study. Fifty-one of 669 women (7.6%) experienced a headache after i
ngesting 150 ml of ice-cold water through a straw. Women who had experience
d one or more migraine attacks in the last year (active migraine) were twic
e as likely to experience a headache from ingesting the cold water as women
who had never suffered from migraine. Ninety-five women who had experience
d their most recent migraine attack more than 1 year ago (inactive migraine
) were not at increased risk. The prevalence of active and inactive migrain
e was 19.4 and 14.2%, respectively. Headache caused by drinking cold water
is common in women. The results indicate that active migraine facilitates t
he perception of forehead pain induced by a cold palatal stimulus.