Do women have more migraines than men?

Migraines are much more common in women than in men. Globally, it is estimated that around 1 in 5 women (20%) will experience migraines at some point in their lives, compared to around 1 in 16 (6%) men. This means that migraines are more than three times more common in women.

In the Netherlands and Belgium, approximately 15-20% of women regularly suffer from migraines. Migraines mainly occur in women aged 18 to 44.

Hormonal fluctuations, such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause, play a major role in the development and severity of migraines in women. This is often referred to as menstrual migraine.

The higher prevalence of migraines in women is often attributed to hormonal factors, particularly fluctuations in estrogen levels.

Source: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/headache-disorders

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-09-14 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025