Migraine Headaches in Women with Category Five Autoimmune Problems Associated with Infertility, Implantation Failure, and Recurrent Pregnancy Losses
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Migraine headaches are the most common type of vascular headache in women. The are usually on one side of the head and cause loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. They sometimes begin with an aura. In my experience I find migraine headaches more common in women with a history of endometriosis, mitral valve prolapse, infertility, IVF failures and even recurrent pregnancy losses. Some women with this constellation of symptoms also have thyroid problems. After many years of exploring immune causes for infertility and pregnancy losses we have found an association of migraine headaches in women with category 5 immune problems of antibodies to hormones and neurotransmitters (see Categories of Immune Problems). Evaluation of blood flow patterns to the brain by SPECT scanning indicates that blood flow patterns to the brain is interfered. Women with infertility and migraine headaches may have autoimmune abnormalities or symptoms that may cause infertility, implantation failures, and recurrent pregnancy losses.
There are new and effective drug therapies for migraine headaches; however, treating the headache with these drugs does not address the autoimmunity that is also causing the infertility. These drugs are directed at eliminating a headache in progress or preventing the development of an attack. In my experience, many women with infertility and migraine headaches have had little luck with analgesics such as aspirin, acetaminophen, and non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, ergot alkaloids.
The newer serotonin 5-HT receptor agonists act as abortive drugs for migraine headache attacks by causing vasoconstriction which counteracts the vasodilatory effects thought to be responsible for migraine headache pain. These drugs can be used prior to pregnancy but must be stopped after implantation and during pregnancy.
Many infertile women that I see with migraine headaches are managed well by medications. Their endometriosis has been managed by laparoscopy and cautery or laser therapy. Their thyroid problems are managed appropriately by thyroid replacement therapy. Their mitral valve prolapse is managed with appropriate beta blockers, Their infertility is properly managed by ovulation inducing agents, IUI, or IVF. Some have even tried donor embryos and failed. Yet these women fail to become mothers.
It is my experience that all of these symptoms, seemingly unrelated, are related, and cluster as symptoms under category five immune problems whose immune effectors prevent implantation and safe attachment and growth of the baby. These immune problems can be diagnosed by addressing the presence of antibodies to serotonin, endorphins and enkaphalins.
Alan E. Beer Center for Reproductive Immunology & Genetics
15151 National Ave. #2; Los Gatos, CA 95032; Phone: (408) 356-9500; Fax: (408) 356-9509; E-mail: info@repro-med.net.
Date: 8-28-08, Time: 3:48 pm.
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