The Potential Protective Role of Aspirin Against Migraine in Pregnant Women

Females are highly predisposed to the occurrence of migraine, a recurrent neurovascular headache disorder. Although migraine improves or disappears during pregnancy, a significant association between migraine and hypertension (i.e., pre-eclampsia) or vascular complications (i.e., stroke) during gestation has been determined. Low-dose aspirin exerts an antithrombotic effect and can improve vascular resistance by regulating endothelial function, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of migraine, pre-eclampsia, and other vascular complications during pregnancy. Low-dose aspirin is widely used prophylactically in the general population who are at higher risk of developing stroke or in pregnant women at higher risk of pre-eclampsia. In this paper we discuss the recent trends in research on the relationship between migraine and pre-eclampsia, an issue of paramount importance in obstetric care, and the potential relationship between migraine and vascular complications in pregnant women. In addition, the potential validity of low-dose aspirin prophylaxis in pregnant women with migraine is explored.