Most doctors describe migraines as having four distinct phases. However, people who get migraines do not necessarily experience all four phases as part of every migraine attack. Phases of a migraine can differ between individuals and types of migraine.

Understanding the phases of migraine can help migraineurs better manage their condition by timing treatments for maximum effectiveness.

Migraine phases

1. Prodrome
Approximately 30 to 40 percent of people who get migraines experience a prodrome phase before headaches begin. The prodrome phase can start hours or days before headache pain begins. For people who have prodromes, this phase can serve as a warning of an impending headache. The prodrome may be referred to as premonitory phase or pre-headache for this reason.

During the prodrome, migraineurs can experience a wide variety of symptoms including mood changes, gastrointestinal symptoms, and cognitive problems. Prodrome can cause:

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Irritability
• Sleep disturbances
• Hyperactivity
• Frequent yawning
• Stiff or painful neck
• Frequent need to urinate
• Food cravings
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Cognitive issues such as difficulty concentrating, speaking, remembering words, or reading

Some people are able to avoid the headache by avoiding triggers or taking treatments during the prodrome phase.

2. Aura
Auras directly proceed migraine attacks in about 20 percent of people with migraine. Auras generally last between five minutes and one hour.

Auras involve changes in perception or neuropsychological function that can include:

• Visual disturbances such as flashing lights, zig-zag lines, or blind spots
• Auditory changes such as hearing music or noise with no source
• Strange smells
• Physical sensation such as tingling and numbness in one arm or leg or on one side
• Sudden changes in personality
• Cognitive disruptions such as difficulty speaking

3. Headache
The third phase of migraine is the headache itself. Intense head pain, vision changes, photophobia (sensitivity to light), nausea, and vomiting are among the most common aspects of the headache phase.

Read more about symptoms of migraine. Symptoms of migraine differ by type of migraine.

4. Postdrome
About 80 percent of those who get migraines experience the postdrome phase when the pain of migraine subsides. Most people feel intense fatigue during the postdrome. Photophobia may continue in this phase, and some people experience body aches. Depression and anxiety are common. Conversely, some people experience euphoria – an intense feeling of happiness and well-being – after a migraine. Some migraineurs experience cognitive symptoms such as confusion, difficulty speaking, or trouble concentrating.

Some people who get migraines describe the postdrome phase as feeling like a hangover. Postdromes can last for hours or days after a headache.

Resources

External resources

• The Timeline of a Migraine Attack – American Migraine Foundation
• Migraine Phases – Migraine.com
• Acute Migraine: Treating Early – American Migraine Foundation
• How Prodrome Can Help your Migraine Treatment – Migraine Treatment Centers of America
• Migraine Symptoms – Migraine.com
• Migraine – Mayo Clinic
• Photophobia (Light Sensitivity) and Migraine – American Migraine Foundation
• Ocular Migraines (Ophthalmic or Eye Migraines) – AllAboutVision.com
• Aura – National Headache Foundation
• Migraine Information Page – National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Living With Migraine – American Migraine Foundation
• About Migraine – Migraine Research Foundation
• Migraine – U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Migraine – Womenshealth.gov

Internal resources

• Does anybody else deal with excessive urination during migraines? I've recently noticed this is becoming a bigger part of my aura phase. (Q+A)
• Does any one pace or have to move around during the pain phase of a migraine attack? (Q+A)
• Has anyone ever experienced weakness/numbness on the left side of your body before and during a migraine? (Q+A)
• Speech problems (Q+A)
• Yawning/migraines (Q+A)
• Pain Management and Migraines
• Migraine Auras

FAQ
When should migraine treatments be taken?
Acute migraine treatments are generally most effective when taken as early as possible in the course of the migraine. If taken early, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Aspirin, Advil (Ibuprofen), and Aleve (Naproxen), medications containing caffeine, and triptans such as Imitrex (Sumatriptan), Maxalt (Rizatriptan), and Relpax (Eletriptan) are more likely to be fully absorbed into the bloodstream and at peak effect when the headache begins. Waiting too long can mean that the pain becomes intense before the medication is at full effect. Consider keeping a migraine diary to track your prodrome phases and better predict when headaches will begin. Your doctor can help you plan when to take each medication based on the phases of your migraine.

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