A recent poll highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment and recognition of migraines among women in the United Kingdom. Conducted by Ipsos and funded by the women’s health company Organon, the survey of 1,000 women who experienced migraines in the past year reveals that two-thirds have not received any treatment, while a third feel their symptoms are not taken seriously by healthcare professionals.
Migraines, which affect an estimated ten million people in the UK, disproportionately impact women at a rate two to three times higher than men. The condition is characterized by headaches, nausea, vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound, often leaving sufferers incapacitated for hours or even days. Migraines are among the leading causes of disability for women under 50 and contribute to approximately three million lost workdays annually.
The poll also found that one in five women have faced stigma or discrimination at work due to their migraines. Nearly half reported that caregiving responsibilities at home hinder their ability to manage the condition, and more than one in ten said they lack support from family and community. Additionally, about one-third of respondents believe their migraines are taken less seriously because of their gender, with many feeling dismissed or misunderstood by medical professionals.
Personal accounts underscore these findings. Viktoria Krivdova, 25, who has suffered from migraines since age 14, described years of difficulty obtaining a diagnosis and proper care. Initially, her condition was minimized by doctors as “just a headache,” leading her to doubt the severity of her symptoms. Krivdova, a PhD student at Cambridge University, noted she believes conditions like diabetes receive more understanding and better treatment compared to migraines.
Experts emphasize the broader implications of these experiences. Rob Music, chief executive of the Migraine Trust, said migraines profoundly affect all aspects of life but are often met with disbelief or dismissal, leaving many women to carry an “invisible burden.” He added that increasing numbers of sufferers are seeking mental health support due to the emotional strain caused by untreated or under-recognized migraines.
Sofia Ferreira, country lead at Organon, described migraines as “absent from many conversations about women’s health” despite being a significant cause of disability. She called for improved recognition, awareness, and support for the condition, emphasizing that migraines should be formally acknowledged as a major women’s health issue.
Previous criticism of healthcare services for gender bias, including remarks by former Health Secretary Wes Streeting about women being “ignored, gaslit, humiliated and disrespected,” provides context to the ongoing challenges faced by female migraine sufferers. The new poll’s results signal an urgent need to address gaps in treatment and societal attitudes toward migraines among women in the UK.