TY - JOUR
T1 - Modulation of nociceptive threshold by combined hormonal contraceptives in women with oestrogen-withdrawal migraine attacks
T2 - a pilot study
AU - De Icco, Roberto
AU - Cucinella, Laura
AU - De Paoli, Irene
AU - Martella, Silvia
AU - Sances, Grazia
AU - Bitetto, Vito
AU - Sandrini, Giorgio
AU - Nappi, Giuseppe
AU - Tassorelli, Cristina
AU - Nappi, Rossella E.
PY - 2016/12/1
Y1 - 2016/12/1
N2 - Background: Menstrually-related headache and headaches associated with oestrogen withdrawal are common conditions, whose pathophysiology has not been completely elucidated. In this study we evaluated the influence of combined hormonal contraceptives (CHC) on pain threshold in women presenting migraine attacks during hormone-free interval. Findings: Eleven women with migraine attacks recurring exclusively during the oestrogen-withdrawal period were studied with the nociceptive flexion reflex, a neurophysiological assessment of the pain control systems, during the third week of active treatment and during the hormone-free interval. During the hormone-free interval, nociceptive withdrawal reflex threshold was significantly lower (12.8 ± 8.0 mA) as compared to the third week of hormonal treatment (15.6 ± 6.6 mA) (p = 0.02). No change was observed in the pain perceived and in the temporal summation. Conclusions: Oestrogen withdrawal may mediate an increased sensitivity to somatosensory stimuli in women with migraine attacks recurring during the hormone-free interval.
AB - Background: Menstrually-related headache and headaches associated with oestrogen withdrawal are common conditions, whose pathophysiology has not been completely elucidated. In this study we evaluated the influence of combined hormonal contraceptives (CHC) on pain threshold in women presenting migraine attacks during hormone-free interval. Findings: Eleven women with migraine attacks recurring exclusively during the oestrogen-withdrawal period were studied with the nociceptive flexion reflex, a neurophysiological assessment of the pain control systems, during the third week of active treatment and during the hormone-free interval. During the hormone-free interval, nociceptive withdrawal reflex threshold was significantly lower (12.8 ± 8.0 mA) as compared to the third week of hormonal treatment (15.6 ± 6.6 mA) (p = 0.02). No change was observed in the pain perceived and in the temporal summation. Conclusions: Oestrogen withdrawal may mediate an increased sensitivity to somatosensory stimuli in women with migraine attacks recurring during the hormone-free interval.
KW - Combined hormonal contraceptives
KW - Menstrually related migraine
KW - Nociceptive withdrawal reflex
KW - Oestrogen withdrawal headache
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U2 - 10.1186/s10194-016-0661-6
DO - 10.1186/s10194-016-0661-6
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84981164214
VL - 17
JO - Journal of Headache and Pain
JF - Journal of Headache and Pain
SN - 1129-2369
IS - 1
M1 - 70
ER -