A Correlation Between Migraine and Endometriosis and Its Clinical Implications-A Systematic Literature Review.

Background/

Objectives

Migraine and endometriosis are two diseases that are associated with women. Endometriosis is a condition exclusively affecting the female population as it affects the female genital tract, while migraine is a primary headache disorder having the highest prevalence in women of reproductive age. Although, undoubtedly, they are two distinct disorders, some correlations have been suggested considering the epidemiological similarities.

Methods

This systematic review aimed to analyze the putative links between those two diseases. Two databases were searched in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, which led to the inclusion of 28 of the most appropriate studies. The review was registered in PROSPERO.

Results

A comprehensive analysis of the existing literature allowed us to distinguish six different aspects: (i) the prevalence of migraine in the course of endometriosis, in general, (ii) when comparing endometriosis patients to healthy individuals, (iii) the relation between different migraine types and endometriosis, (iv) pain symptoms in patients with endometriosis and migraine, and finally, (v) molecular and (vi) genetic bases of the suspected correlation.

Conclusions

Although not all results are definitely apparent, the results showed a higher prevalence of endometriosis and migraine together than both diseases separately. More precisely, chronic migraine was demonstrated to be the most possibly linked to endometriosis. Moreover, pain symptoms were usually more evident in patients suffering from both diseases at the time. Finally, some suggestions were presented due to this comorbidity's molecular and genetic bases; however, the literature, especially on this topic, is lacking.