Headache is one of the common conditions affecting people worldwide, with migraines and tension-type headaches being the most prevalent. Pregnancy introduces hormonal fluctuations, particularly increased estrogen levels, which can influence headache characteristics. This study aimed to assess changes in headache patterns among pregnant women.
A prospective survey was conducted at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics (LSMUL KK), involving 67 pregnant women who experienced headaches before or during pregnancy. The participants completed a questionnaire evaluating headache characteristics and the MIDAS (Migraine Disability Assessment) questionnaire to assess functional impairment. The data were analyzed by using statistical methods, including the χ² test, the Mann-Whitney test, and the Fisher’s exact test.
It was found that 77.6% of the participants experienced headaches during pregnancy, compared to 89.6% before pregnancy. Among women who had headaches both before and during pregnancy, 70.5% reported no change in severity, while 29.5% experienced either worsening or improvement. Pressing and pulsating headache types decreased by approximately 25% during pregnancy. Besides, in 27.2% of the respondents, headache was associated with a reduction of daily activity impairment, thereby suggesting a potential positive impact of hormonal changes.
These findings highlight the complex interaction between pregnancy-related hormonal changes and headaches. While a significant fraction of women experience headache relief, others develop new headaches or undergo symptom worsening. Further research with larger cohorts is needed to deepen our understanding of the impact of pregnancy on headache disorders.
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