Migraines are severe forms of headache that can last from a few hours to a few days. They can cause throbbing or stabbing pain and pressure in the head and face. Though some people can get on with their daily routines while experiencing them, others may find that they have a big impact on their lives.

When they occur less than 15 days a month, they can be described as episodes or attacks. If you have them more often, they’re called chronic migraines.¹

Anyone can get migraines, but some people are more likely to have them than others. Our genes might be responsible for whether we have migraines or not. Roughly 50% of people who have migraines also have a family who experiences them too.²

Women are also up to three times more likely than men to get migraines. Evidence seems to suggest that this is because of hormones, as migraines can start during puberty.³

We aren’t sure of the exact reason for migraines. They can be caused by many different factors. People find that there are a variety of triggers that cause their migraines. Some of the most common are:

• Stress
• Mentstruation
• Skipping meals
• Changes in the weather
• Lack of sleep
• Strong smells. ⁴

Certain foods such as chocolate, caffeine, cheese and alcohol can also trigger migraines in some people.⁵

Keeping a diary of your migraines can help you identify your triggers. You can then avoid them as much as possible.

Headaches caused by migraine are usually on one side of the head. The pain can range from moderate to severe. Migraine headache pain is often described as throbbing or pulsing, and it can get worse when you move.

Having a migraine is sometimes described as an ‘episode’. Migraine episodes can last anywhere from a few hours to several days. If you have a migraine lasting more than 72 hours, you should get medical help right away.⁶

When people think of migraines, they usually think of a headache. But migraines can often have other symptoms too. Some of the most common are:

• Sensitivity to sounds
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to smells
• Nausea.¹

Sometimes, people have migraines without a headache at all. These are often called ‘silent migraines’. If you have a silent migraine, you may not have any pain in your head, but instead, you may experience auras or other symptoms of migraines.

Auras are symptoms that can happen just before or at the start of a migraine, like a warning. Not everyone with migraines will have auras. Auras can appear in a few different ways. Some of the most common aura symptoms are:

• visual disturbances like seeing lights or blurred vision
• strange feelings in your body like numbness or pins and needles
• trouble with your hearing like tinnitus or hearing things
• trouble speaking or understanding speech.⁷

If you have migraines with aura, you should avoid taking the combined contraceptive pill. This is because both migraines with aura and the combined contraceptive pill may lead to a slightly higher risk of strokes.⁸ If you have migraines with aura and you need contraception, talk to your GP or sexual health nurse about other options that may be suitable for you.

If you think you might have migraines, speak to your GP. They can help you find treatment options and give you lifestyle advice to manage your migraines.

If your symptoms are complicated, your GP will want to investigate further before making a diagnosis. They will refer you to a neurologist – a specialist who deals with conditions that affect the brain – for further testing.

There are a variety of treatment options for migraines. Treatment for migraines usually falls into two categories:

• treatments that help with symptoms
• treatments that prevent migraine episodes.

Many people treat their migraines with painkillers like paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines are all available at your local pharmacy.

Triptans and anti-emetics are also used for treating migraine symptoms. Triptans are a type of medication that specifically target headaches by changing how the hormone serotonin is processed in your brain. Anti-emetics can help stop nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (being sick).⁹

There are three main medications used to prevent migraines:

• Propranolol
• Topiramate
• Amitriptyline.

These medications all work in very different ways to prevent migraines.¹⁰ Your pharmacist can help you choose the right one for you.

Some people want to try alternative methods to manage their migraine. This could be because they’ve used treatments that didn’t work in the past. Others may prefer to try non-medical options before using treatments.

Identifying your migraine triggers should allow you to make lifestyle changes that could help reduce the frequency and severity of your symptoms. This could mean changing your diet, getting more sleep or trying to reduce your stress.

Other treatments such as acupuncture are sometimes used to help reduce migraine symptoms. There is some evidence to suggest that acupuncture helps with reducing the number of migraines you have. Acupuncture isn’t always available on the NHS, so you may have to pay for it privately.¹¹ To find a registered acupuncturist near you, visit The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care.

If your migraines are triggered by your menstrual cycle (periods), you may want to try a type of contraception that stops you from menstruating. Always talk to your GP if you’re thinking of changing your contraceptive method. They will be able to answer your questions and suggest a method which is right for you.