One in three Australian women are living with migraines and it’s become one of the top contributors to the women’s health gap.
The finding comes from a nationally representative health survey that found 30 per cent of women live with migraine, while another 13 per cent are likely to have recently experienced undiagnosed migraine.
Migraine is a common brain condition that causes moderate to severe headache attacks alongside other symptoms like nausea and sensitivity to light, smell or noise. Some people also experience temporary sensory changes, known as “aura”. The condition is one of the leading causes of disability globally and it disproportionately affects women.
Dr Sarah White, CEO of Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, says the data is a wake-up call.
“Women are at least twice as likely as men to experience migraine. It hits hardest in their thirties, right when women are building careers, families and their futures,” Dr White said.
“The cost of days lost to pain is immense for individual women, which has broader consequences on society.”
CEO of Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, Dr Sarah White.
The 2025 National Women’s Health Survey, conducted by Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, also found that eight in 10 women living with migraine had been dealing with the condition for at least a decade. Five in 10 had their first migraine attack before the age of 18.
“A migraine attack typically lasts anywhere from 4 to 72 hours. The pain is usually very intense and often affects one side of the head,” Dr Emma Foster, a Consultant Neurologist at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, said.
“It has a throbbing or pulsating quality, and is commonly accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound.”
Hormones play a key role, according to Dr Foster.
“Hormonal changes are a major trigger, around the time of periods, during pregnancy and throughout the perimenopausal stage,” she said.
“But we also know that genetic and environmental factors can play a role too.”
According to the survey, just over one in three Australian women (36 per cent) said they had sought help from a medical professional for headaches. GPs are often the first point of contact for women seeking out help. Some women reported delays in getting a diagnosis.
Lead of Migraine and Headache Australia, Carl Cincinnato, is calling for greater investment into migraine as a health issue.
“Migraine is the leading cause of disability worldwide for women aged 18 to 49. Yet, funding, research and support for migraine lag far behind other health conditions,” Cincinnato said. “We must do better for the one in three women affected by this disorder, which can be debilitating for so many.”
