An evidence based consult guide for general practitioners.
Key points
- Migraine affects around 1 in 3 women.
- Women are at least twice as likely as men to experience migraine, with hormonal changes a major trigger.
- Migraine is the leading cause of disability in people under 50 years old.
Difference between migraine and headache
Migraine is more than a headache. It is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of moderate to severe head pain, usually unilateral and often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound. Episodes can last anywhere between 4-72 hours.
Headache refers more broadly to pain in the head or face, which may present as pressure, throbbing, sharp, dull or constant, and can vary in intensity, location and frequency.
Key patient concerns
- delays in diagnosis
- challenges finding appropriate and effective treatment
- needing to self-advocate to receive the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment
- profound impact on quality of life
Qualitative research: Migraine in Australian women, Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, 2025 (survey n=3,629)
Practice considerations
- Consider risk factors, such as family history, age, sex, hormonal changes and lifestyle factors
- Use the 3 question ID Migraine questionnaire to screen patients as part of diagnosis.
- Assess the impact of migraine on quality of life to guide treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes.
- Rule out red and orange flags using the SNNOOP10 criteria.
- Note patients experiencing migraine with aura, should avoid the combined oral contraceptive pill due to increased risk of stroke.
- Discuss management options and educate patients about what to expect post-diagnosis.
- Encourage patients to;
- track their migraine attacks using a migraine diary.
- manage lifestyle triggers – such as stress, sleep , dehydration, caffeine overuse, some types of alcohol and foods.
- Early referral to a specialist should be considered where appropriate
- Follow the treatment algorithm as displayed in the Australian prescriber migraine management guidelines.
Resources for GPs
- Australian Prescriber – Migraine management
- 3 question ID Migraine questionnaire
- Migraine in Australian Women – results from the 2025 National Women’s Health Survey (NWHS) and Migraine in Australian Women project, Jean Hailes for Women’s Health; Migraine in Australian women
- SNNOOP10 List; Red and orange flags for secondary headaches in clinical practice: SNNOOP10 list – PMC
Resources for patients
Jean Hailes for Women’s Health resources
Migraine & Headache Australia resources
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Evidence and medical knowledge is constantly changing. The authors have taken care to ensure that the information on this page is accurate and up to date at the time it was created. This content is intended for healthcare professionals who should always manage patients within their scope of practice and work within local policies and practices. This content is not intended for members of the general public.
