Why Do Men Suffer From Cluster Headaches?

Cluster headaches cause deep, intense pain and tend to occur in cycles. Possible triggers include alcohol, food allergies, and stress. Because men are six times more likely to experience cluster headaches than women, many researchers have examined the role of the male sex hormone testosterone in these headaches.

Many studies have linked cluster headache episodes with imbalances in testosterone. Low levels of this hormone are associated with active periods of headache, and are often found primarily in men who suffer chronic cluster headaches. Some researchers believe that testosterone levels fall as a result of recurrent attacks of pain, while others believe this drop may be precipitated by stress. In one clinical trial, testosterone therapy lowered the number of cluster headache attacks in a group of men by over 66%.

However, other research links HIGH levels of testosterone with cluster headaches, therefore, other alternative treatments have focused on lowering testosterone levels in men with this condition. This has been observed to lessen severity of pain during attacks, although such treatment can lower a man's natural sex drive and physical strength.

Ensuring the optimal balance of testosterone is important for men no matter what their physical condition. Knowing your natural body levels is crucial before considering any form of hormone therapy.

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References:

1. Facchinetti F, Nappi G, Cicoli C, Micieli G, Ruspa M, Ruspa M, et al. Reduced testosterone levels in cluster headache: a stress-related phenomen? Cephalagia 1986;6(10):29-34.
2. Klimek A. Use of testosterone in the treatment of cluster headache. Eur Neurol 1985;24(1):53-6.
3. Murialdo G, Fanciullacci M, Nicolodi M, Fillippi U, De Palma D, Sicuteri F, Polleri A. Cluster headache in the male: sex steroid pattern and gonadotropic response to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone. Cephalagia 1989;9(2):91-8.
4. Nicoldi M, Sicuteri F, Poggioni M. Hypothalamic modulation of nociception and reproduction in cluster headache. Cephalagia 1993;13(4):253-7.
5. Polleri A. Sex steroids and cluster headache: hypotheses. Cephalagia 1990;10(4):183-7.
6. Romiti A, Martelletti P, Gallo MF, Giacovazzo M. Low plasma testosterone levels in cluster headache. Cephalalgia 1983;3(1):41-4.
7. Walling AD. Cluster headache. Am Fam Physican 1993;1457-65.

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