Posted: 01:08, 12 April 2022 | Updated: 01:26, 12 April 2022
Women are much more likely than men to suffer from headaches. The researchers found that 6 percent, or just over one in 20, have a headache at least half of each month compared to 2.9 percent of men. Their review of the global headache rate also concluded that women are twice as likely as men to suffer from migraines. They found that 17 percent of women suffer from migraines, which can last up to three days and lead to vomiting and sensitivity to light and noise. But migraines affected only 8.6 percent of men. Researchers found that 6 percent, or just over one in 20, have a headache at least half of each month compared to 2.9 percent of men (stock image) Changes in hormones can be one of the reasons women are most affected, as any fluctuations in estrogen can cause headaches. The research, from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, looked at 357 studies on headaches from the 1960s to the present. Researchers estimate that about one in six people in the world have a headache every day. Published in The Journal of Headache and Pain, the review found that people in high-income countries report increased rates of headaches, although this could be due to more studies being done in rich countries. Professor Lars Jacob Stovner, who led the study, said: “Women suffer far more than men from the most disabling headaches – migraines and headaches that last 15 or more days a month. “This is important because the severe headaches that are unpredictable and often occur make it very difficult to cope with life’s responsibilities, such as staying at work or caring for a family.” The authors, who say that the methodology of different studies could produce some unreliable data on headaches, can not be sure if the problem is growing. But Professor Stovner said: “We have found that the prevalence of headache disorders remains high worldwide and that the burden of different types can affect many. “We should try to reduce this weight through prevention and better treatment.” Changes in hormones could be one of the reasons women are most affected, as any fluctuations in estrogen can cause headaches (stock image)
