Purpose: This study sought to determine the prevalence of menstrual migraine among female university students at the Nursing Faculty of Ciudad Real and to determine possible risk factors.
Design and methods: A cross-sectional observational study was performed using a self-report questionnaire. Two hundred and ninety-nine female university students participated in the study; all were enrolled in the 2017/2018 academic year at the Faculty of Nursing. Participants were over the age of 18 years and without any diagnosed gynecological pathology. The main measurement tools were menstrual migraine between days -2 and +3 of the menstrual cycle, over the previous six cycles.
Results: The prevalence of menstrual migraine was 45.15%, identifying the following possible risk factors: dysmenorrhea (OR 9.19; 1.62-6.28% CI), use of hormonal contraceptive methods (OR 2.60; 95% CI 1.30-5.20), menstrual irritability (OR 2.34; 95% CI 1.25-4.40), menstrual dizziness (OR 2.05; 95% CI % 1.12-3.75) and daily consumption of cola beverages (OR 1.85; 95% CI % 1.04-3.32).
Conclusions: The prevalence of this problem is high among our population and the approach is complex.
Practice implications: It is necessary to continue to research the pharmacological measures and methods of pharmacological pain relief as well as interventions directed at lifestyle modifications considering the potential risk factors involved in menstrual migraine.
Keywords: Headache; Hormonal headache; Menstrual migraine.
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