Age at menarche and risk of developing migraine or non-migraine headaches by young adulthood

Mohammed Aynul Hoque; Quazi Aysha Siddiqua; M. Tariqul Islam; Surajit Dutta; M. Mazharul Islam; Mohammad Aftab Rassel; Riasona Ferdous; Mansur Habib

doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20252010

Authors

Mohammed Aynul Hoque Department of Neurology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Quazi Aysha Siddiqua Department of Medicine, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
M. Tariqul Islam Department of Neurology, Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Surajit Dutta Department of Surgery, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
M. Mazharul Islam National Institute of Neuroscience, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Mohammad Aftab Rassel Interventional Neurology, National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Riasona Ferdous Government Homeopathic Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Mansur Habib Department of Medicine and Neurology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20252010

Keywords:

Young adulthood, Risk factors, Non-migraine headache, Neurology, Migraine headache, Age at menarche, Logistic regression

Abstract

Background: Menstruation plays a significant role in the onset of migraine attacks in women, particularly during reproductive years. Among menstrual factors, age at menarche appears to influence migraine prevalence. However, limited research has been conducted on this association in both national and international contexts. This study aimed to assess the relationship between age at menarche and the risk of developing migraine or non-migraine headaches in young adult women attending a tertiary care hospital. To investigate the association between age at menarche and headache type and to compare the clinical characteristics (frequency, duration and severity) of migraine and non-migraine headaches.

Methods: This observational study was conducted over two years at the Department of Neurology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Women aged >18 years with a history of headache and attending the “Headache Clinic” were included after obtaining informed written consent. Migraine and non-migraine headaches were diagnosed according to ICD-IIIβ criteria. An age-matched control group was also recruited. A total of 300 participants were interviewed (100 in each group: migraine, non-migraine and control). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0.

Results: The mean participant age was 30.64±7.78 years. Migraine patients had an earlier mean age at menarche (12.58±1.73 years) than non-migraine (13.66±1.01) and control groups (13.19±0.73) (p<0.001). A 1-year delay in menarche reduced migraine risk by 30% but increased non-migraine headache risk by 83%. Migraineurs experienced more nausea, vomiting and photophobia (p<0.001).

Conclusions: Early menarche is associated with an increased risk of migraine in young adult women.

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