If you’ve been diagnosed with migraine, you may notice changes in your condition as you get older. Not only can the frequency of your migraine attacks change, but you may also notice shifts in the intensity, the triggers, and the symptoms you experience.

Understanding how migraine may change over time can help you prepare for the differences you could experience as you grow older. Here’s what you need to know about migraine and aging, including factors that may trigger your headaches and how symptoms change.

🗳️ Have you noticed changes in your migraine attacks as you’ve gotten older?

Yes, they happen less often or feel milder.

Yes, they happen more often or feel worse.

Yes, but the changes are mixed.

No, I haven’t noticed changes.

Thanks! You've successfully submitted your vote.

Sign up to view the results!

Continue with Facebook

Continue with Google

Continue with Email

By joining, you accept our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our collection, sharing, and use of your data in accordance with our Health Data and Privacy policies.

Already a member? Log In

Why Migraine May Change With Age

There are several reasons why migraine may evolve over time:

• Hormonal changes — Migraine patterns may change during menstruation, after childbirth, during perimenopause, and after menopause.
• Changes in the brain and nervous system — Researchers are studying whether age-related changes in pain processing may help explain why migraine often changes over time. The exact reasons are still unclear.
• Stress and sleep disruptions — Factors that used to trigger migraine for someone as a teen or young adult may decrease. Meanwhile, other triggers can become more pronounced, like the effects of alcohol and neck pain.
• Age-related health conditions and medicines — New health problems or changes in treatment may affect migraine. Some medications can cause headache as a side effect, but this depends on the specific drug and the person taking it.

How Migraine Symptoms and Attacks May Shift

For many people, migraine typically peaks in their 20s and continues into their 40s. Beyond that, once you enter older age, migraine attacks may start to become less intense and happen less often. Treatment needs may also change with age, especially if you develop other health conditions or start taking new medicines.

One MyMigraineTeam member shared that their migraine symptoms were so severe when they were younger that they had to retire early on disability after experiencing three or four attacks a week.

“This was 20 years ago,” they said. “Migraines are still something I deal with, but they aren’t as big a problem as they once were.”

Here’s how migraine can change as you age.

Symptoms Can Change

The symptoms you experience can change as you age. When you’re younger, you may experience more sensitivity to light and sounds, dizziness, throbbing, pressure, and stabbing pain. You also may feel the need to sleep or lie down when you have an attack.

As you age, your migraine symptoms may become milder, but this doesn’t happen for everyone.

Your triggers may also change over time. Some research suggests that alcohol or neck pain may become more common triggers, while stress or hormonal changes may play a smaller role.

Some people also develop more noticeable autonomic symptoms — automatic body responses such as a racing heart or facial flushing — during a headache.

Location and Timing of Pain May Change

Where you experience migraine pain could also change as you age. For instance, some adults start to experience pain on both sides of their head, rather than just on one side, as they age.

Additionally, the timing of migraine attacks can change with time. Some researchers have found that older adults tend to experience migraine attacks more often at night or in the early morning.

You May Develop Migraine Aura Later in Life

Some older adults begin experiencing migraine aura without headache, sometimes called a late-life migraine accompaniment. Aura symptoms may include:

• Seeing flashing lights or zigzag lines
• Developing a blind spot
• Experiencing numbness, tingling, or difficulty speaking

Because new aura symptoms can resemble a stroke, a transient ischemic attack (TIA), or a seizure, seek emergency care right away — especially if the symptoms begin suddenly.

After urgent causes have been ruled out, a neurologist or headache specialist can determine whether the symptoms are related to migraine and discuss ways to manage them.

There’s Potential for Remission

Migraine may go into remission as you age, meaning attacks stop for a period of time. However, remission may not be permanent, and researchers don’t fully understand why it happens.

One review found that episodic migraine prevalence may peak in the late 30s and then become less common with age. Chronic migraine is more likely to persist into later life, although some people improve or shift between chronic and episodic migraine over time. Its course is harder to predict.

Secondary Headache Is Possible

Older adults are at a higher risk of developing secondary headache. A secondary headache is caused by another health problem, such as giant cell arteritis (inflammation in the arteries), stroke, infection, a medicine side effect, or a problem inside the brain.

If you develop a new headache after age 50, contact your doctor. Migraine can begin later in life, but new headaches in older adults are more likely to need testing for another cause.

Migraine Treatment Considerations as You Get Older

As you age, you’re at a higher risk for developing other health conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, and heart disease. Your body also may process medicines differently as you age. This can increase the risk of side effects, drug interactions, and problems related to other health conditions.

For this reason, you need to maintain open communication with your headache specialist and primary care doctor. This will ensure any new headache symptoms are addressed and that your treatment plan is adjusted as needed.

Some Migraine Medications Require Extra Caution for Older Adults

Some migraine medicines may not be safe for every older adult.

Triptans are not automatically ruled out because of age alone, but they should generally be avoided by people with:

• Ischemic heart disease (reduced blood flow to the heart)
• A history of ischemic stroke
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure

Your doctor will review your health history and other medicines before deciding whether a triptan is appropriate.

Here are some other migraine medications that may carry added risks for older adults:

• Opioids such as morphine and medicines containing butalbital can cause confusion and sleepiness.
• Naproxen and ibuprofen can cause gastrointestinal bleeding (bleeding in the digestive tract).
• Acetaminophen can cause serious liver injury if too much is taken.
• Topiramate can slow thinking, affect attention, or cause memory and word-finding problems.
• Valproic acid can increase liver enzymes and cause weight gain.
• Tricyclic antidepressants can affect your heart rhythm and cause urinary retention and blurred vision.

Communicating With Your Healthcare Provider Is Key

Fortunately, there are still several ways to treat migraine as you age. The key is keeping your headache specialist informed about any new diagnoses, changes in medications, or emergency room visits.

With this information, they can put together an effective treatment plan that addresses your migraine pain and is better suited for your needs as you age. Meanwhile, you can get your migraine questions answered.

When Changing Symptoms Need Medical Attention

Although migraine symptoms often change as you age, tell your healthcare provider about any new or changing symptoms. Use a headache diary to record when symptoms occur, how long they last, and how they differ from your usual migraine attacks.

Some headache changes need prompt medical care, while others are medical emergencies.

Contact your doctor promptly if:

• You develop a new headache after age 50.
• Your usual migraine attacks become much more frequent, severe, or different.
• You develop a new or changing headache and have cancer, a weakened immune system, or another serious health condition.

Call emergency services or go to the emergency department if you have:

• A sudden, explosive headache that reaches its worst intensity within seconds or minutes
• New weakness, facial drooping, trouble speaking, difficulty walking, or confusion
• A seizure or loss of consciousness
• Fever with a stiff neck
• Sudden vision loss, even if it doesn’t last
• Any other possible signs of a stroke

These symptoms can be signs of a serious problem, such as stroke, bleeding in the brain, or meningitis. Getting emergency care quickly can help doctors identify the cause and begin treatment.

Join the Conversation

On MyMigraineTeam, people share their experiences with migraine, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

If you’ve been diagnosed with migraine, what types of changes have you noticed as you get older, and how do you cope? Let others know in the comments below.