Probability of Having Migraines
12%
Annual probability in US
About 12% of Americans suffer from migraines, with women three times more likely to be affected than men.
Migraines affect approximately 39 million Americans (about 12% of the population), making them the third most common illness worldwide. Women are about three times more likely to experience migraines than men, with prevalence peaking in the 30s and 40s. About 4 million adults have chronic migraine (15 or more headache days per month).
Risk factors include female sex, family history (migraines have a genetic component of about 50%), hormonal changes (menstruation, pregnancy, menopause), stress, sleep disturbances, certain foods and additives, weather changes, and sensory stimuli. Migraines are more than just headaches; they often include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and can be preceded by aura (visual disturbances).
Treatment has advanced significantly with the development of CGRP inhibitors (monoclonal antibodies like erenumab, fremanezumab), which reduce migraine frequency by 50% in about half of patients. Triptans remain the standard acute treatment, while preventive options include beta-blockers, antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, and Botox injections. Migraines cost the US economy an estimated $36 billion annually in healthcare costs and lost productivity.
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