Objective:

N/A

Background:

Migraine is a common and disabling neurological condition that disproportionately affects women, particularly during their reproductive years. Infertility is also very common, and women have more access to reproductive treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) now than ever before. Despite known associations between migraine, gynecological disorders, and psychological distress, little research has examined how migraine intersects with infertility and related treatments. This study aims to explore the relationship between migraine and infertility, including treatment effects and emotional impact.

Design/Methods:

This cross-sectional study used a ten-question online survey to explore infertility experiences among adult women with migraine from February to April 2025. Participants were recruited via social media posts shared by Miles for Migraine and relevant Facebook groups, with eligibility limited to women aged 18 and older.

Results:

In our survey population of women with migraine, 46/81 (56.8%) reported difficulties with infertility, with common causes including unexplained infertility, PCOS, male factor infertility, anovulation and poor egg reserve. Of the women, 42/46 (91.3%) reported having tried fertility treatments including timed intercourse with hormonal therapy, intrauterine insemination, and in vitro fertilization. Of those who received fertility treatment, most reported worsening of migraine (15/42, 35.7%), and most who became pregnant reported improvement in migraine (11/42, 26.2%). Respondents in our study population had high rates of stress related to infertility with a median of 4 on a 1-5 scale (IQR=2). 

Conclusions:

Participants in our survey had high rates of infertility and infertility related stress. Likewise, the factors contributing to infertility that have been previously associated with migraine were present in our population. Participants generally noted worsening in migraine with fertility treatment suggesting a possible association between hormonal therapy and migraine. Results from this study suggest a need for stress management as an early intervention for women with migraine who are undergoing fertility treatment.