Purpose: To describe the experiences of midlife women with migraines.
Design and methods: Qualitative data were collected in two consecutive studies, using open-ended interviews, focus groups, and online discussion boards. Interpretive methods were used for analysis.
Findings: Three patterns were identified: Changing Headache Patterns; Predicting, Preventing, and Controlling Headaches; and Keeping on the Move. These patterns indicated how women's headaches changed over time, how headaches were envisioned within the context of their lives, what strategies were used to meet work and home responsibilities, and how women controlled their headaches while maintaining a sense of perspective.
Conclusions: Many midlife women with migraines receive inadequate or inappropriate treatment, and better dissemination of current diagnostic and treatment guidelines is necessary. Ongoing research is needed to increase understanding of how this problem affects midlife women's lives and of what interventions might prevent or alleviate migraine discomfort.