New Peer-Reviewed Study from Haven's Clinical Director

We’re proud to share that Dr. Susan Hutchinson, Clinical Director of Haven Headache & Migraine Center, has co-authored a new peer-reviewed publication titled “Understanding migraine throughout a woman’s life and the role of calcitonin gene-related peptide: A narrative review” in Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders (SAGE Publications).
Read the full study here → https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17455057251376878

What the Study Examines

• How migraine patterns change through puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause.
• The influence of hormonal fluctuations—especially estrogen—on migraine frequency, duration, and severity.
• The biological link between reproductive hormones and the neurochemical systems that regulate pain.

Hormones and Migraine

• Estrogen affects the brain’s pain-processing pathways, influencing serotonin and CGRP activity.
• When estrogen levels fall sharply—such as before menstruation or during perimenopause—many experience increased migraine activity.
• These hormonal transitions help explain why women often see shifts in their migraine patterns across life stages.

The Role of CGRP

• Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) is a key molecule in migraine. It causes blood vessels to widen and nerves to become more sensitive.
• Estrogen fluctuations can heighten CGRP activity, which may explain menstrual and perimenopausal migraine patterns.
• Targeting CGRP has become a major focus in migraine research, with both monoclonal antibodies and oral receptor blockers (gepants) offering new therapeutic options.

Key Takeaways

• Migraine is a dynamic neurological disorder influenced by hormonal and reproductive changes.
• Understanding how life stages interact with migraine biology enables more precise, evidence-based treatment.
• This research continues to shape how clinicians view migraine not as a static disease, but as a lifelong condition that evolves with hormonal and physiological shifts.

Join Us in Advancing Care

At Haven, we believe migraine care should evolve with you. This new study underpins our belief that your reproductive health, life stage and migraine pattern are deeply connected. With this insight, our team is better prepared to partner with you for more good days ahead.

Book your next appointment here: https://www.havenheadache.com/booking/join