What Causes Migraines? Common Triggers Explained

Migraine headaches are very common, and they can have a big impact on daily life. If you’ve ever had a migraine, or if you know someone who has, you might have wondered what caused it. And you probably also want to know if there’s anything you can do to prevent having one in the future.

Fortunately, research about what triggers a migraine helps us better understand how to prevent them in some cases. Let’s take a deeper dive into common causes of migraines and how to best avoid those triggers.

What are the symptoms of migraines?

The most common symptom of migraine is a headache. But migraines often have other symptoms as well. They also tend to follow a predictable pattern of pain.

Common symptoms of migraine are:

• Throbbing pain on one side of the head

• Nausea, vomiting, or both

• A sensitivity to lights, sounds, and smells

You may also experience migraine with auras. Auras are visual or sensory disturbances that occur before or during a migraine. Sometimes, you can have auras without actual headache pain. Typical aura symptoms include:

• Vision changes (blind spots, blurry vision, or flashing lights) 

• Sensory changes (tingling, or a pins-and-needles feeling in your body)

• Ringing in the ears

• Phantom smells (the scent of smoke, or something burning) 

• Difficulty speaking or finding the right words

The symptoms of migraines can be similar to the symptoms of a stroke or other serious condition. That’s why it’s important to let your healthcare provider know if you are having symptoms of a migraine.

What triggers migraines?

It’s not fully understood why migraines happen to some people. It’s clear that genetics play a role, because migraines tend to run in families. And several genes have been identified that may make you more likely to have them. 

But there are many risk factors that may make migraines more likely to occur. Common triggers for migraines include:

• Physical or mental stress

• Changes in weather 

• Irregular sleep schedule

• Skipped meals

• Foods, spices, or additives (like processed meats, aged cheese, and chocolate)

• Alcohol

• Caffeine

• Artificial sweeteners

• Tobacco

• Exercise (like aerobic or sexual activity)

Everyone who experiences migraines has different triggers. Some triggers are common while others are unique. Keeping track of patterns that you notice when you get migraines can help to identify any triggers you have. 

What causes migraine in females?

The effect of hormones on migraines is clear. Menstrual migraines — or migraines that occur in relation to your menstrual cycle — are very common. 

Estrogen, which is a female sex hormone, goes through a pattern of rising and falling every month in women who get a period. Menstrual migraines tend to show up a few days before you get your period, when the level of estrogen in your body naturally drops to its lowest level. 

Other things that may trigger a migraine due to a hormone fluctuation in women include:

• Pregnancy

• Menopause 

• Hormonal birth control or hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

How can you decrease your risk for migraines?

One of the best ways to get control of your migraines is to understand what sets them off. 

Keeping a headache diary can help. When journaling, you can write down days when you have a headache and any factors that are present. Don’t forget to include factors that can affect migraine like:

• Where you are in your menstrual cycle

• Foods

• Weather

• Stressful events 

When you write down and begin to pay attention to what your own personal triggers are, you can take steps to avoid them in the future.

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Written by:

Kerry R. McGee, MD, FAAP

Kerry McGee, MD, FAAP, has over a decade of experience caring for babies, children, and teenagers as a primary care pediatrician. She has a special interest in adolescent health, particularly in adolescent mental health.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

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