Headache classification and aspects of reproductive life in young women.

OBJECTIVE: To classify headaches as a function of the menstrual cycle and to contrast aspects relating to the reproductive cycle as a function of headache type. METHOD: Participants responded to a structured questionnaire consisting of 44 questions. Detailed headache information, enabling the classification of headaches, and questions relating to the menstrual cycle were obtained. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 422 students. Menstrual headaches were experienced by 31.8%. Migraine without aura (MO) occurred in 13.3%, migraine with aura (MA) in 7.8%, and probable migraine in 6.4%. Women with MA were significantly more likely to have reached menarche at earlier ages than women without headaches (p=0.03). Use of a hormonal contraceptive was related to the function of having MA headaches or not. CONCLUSION: Most female college students are affected by menstrual headaches. Although the vast majority experience MO, other headaches also occur. Women with MA are equally likely to receive hormonal contraceptives as others.

Headache classification and aspects of reproductive life in young women / Classificacao das cefaleias e aspectos da vida reprodutiva em mulheres jovens

Objective: To classify headaches as a function of the menstrual cycle and to contrast aspects relating to the reproductive cycle as a function of headache type. Method: Participants responded to a structured questionnaire consisting of 44 questions. Detailed headache information, enabling the classification of headaches, and questions relating to the menstrual cycle were obtained. Results: The sample consisted of 422 students. Menstrual headaches were experiencedby 31.8%. Migraine without aura (MO) occurred in 13.3%, migraine with aura (MA) in 7.8%, and probable migraine in 6.4%. Women with MA were significantly more likely to have reached menarche at earlier ages than women without headaches (p=0.03). Use of a hormonal contraceptive was related to the function of having MA headaches or not. Conclusion: Most female college students are affected by menstrualheadaches. Although the vast majority experience MO, other headaches also occur. Women with MA are equally likely to receive hormonal contraceptives as others. .

Objetivo: Classificar cefaleias em relação ao ciclo menstrual e contrastar aspectos relacionados ao ciclo reprodutivo de acordo com o tipo de cefaleia. Método: Participantes responderam um questionário estruturado de 44 perguntas. Foi obtida informação detalhada das cefaleias, permitindo sua classificação e perguntas relativas ao ciclo menstrual. Resultados: A amostra foi constituída de 422 estudantes. Cefaleias menstruais foram constatadas em 31,8%. Migrânea sem aura (MO) ocorreu em 13,3% delas, migrânea com aura (MA) em 7,8%, provável migrânea em 6,4%. Mulheres com MA apresentaram probabilidade significativamente maior de ter sua menarca em idades mais precoces do que mulheres sem cefaleia (p=0,03). O uso de contraceptivos apresentou frequência semelhante independentemente da mulher ter ou não migrânea com aura. Conclusão: A maioria das mulheres estudantes universitárias apresenta cefaleia menstrual. Apesar da MO representar a maioria, outras cefaleias também ocorrem. Mulheres com MA podem receber contraceptivos hormonais com probabilidade de desenvolver cefaleia igual às mulheres com outros tipos de cefaleia. .