One in three UK women with migraine say symptoms taken less seriously
pharmafile | September 24, 2026 | News story | | Organon, The Migraine Trust, migraine, symptoms survey
One in three UK women who have experienced migraine say they believe their symptoms are taken less seriously because of their gender, according to a survey commissioned by Organon.
The survey of 1,000 UK women aged 18–65 who had experienced migraine in the previous 12 months found that 33% felt their gender affected how seriously their symptoms were taken. This rose to 38% among women of reproductive age.
The findings also highlighted gaps in support at work and at home. Among employed respondents, 33% said their employer only slightly understood, or did not understand at all, their experience of migraine, while 19% said they had experienced stigma or discrimination at work because of the condition.
Almost half of respondents (49%) said caregiving responsibilities hindered their ability to manage migraine, while 11% felt unsupported by their family and community.
The survey also identified gaps in treatment and recognition. More than half of respondents (51%) said they had first recognised their migraine symptoms themselves, while 63% were not currently receiving treatment, regardless of whether their condition had been self-identified or clinically diagnosed.
Four in ten respondents said they wanted greater awareness of migraine in healthcare settings (41%) and improved access to specialist migraine clinics (41%).
Rob Music, Chief Executive of The Migraine Trust, said women with migraine could face both the effects of the condition and a lack of recognition of its impact.
“Many women still find their symptoms are being dismissed or not taken seriously,” he said. “Women experiencing migraine are carrying a significant and often invisible burden.”
Migraine affects an estimated 10 million people in the UK, according to the release, with women two to three times more likely to experience the condition than men.
Related Content
FDA grants De Novo authorisation to light-filtering device for migraine
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted De Novo marketing authorisation to Avulux, …
Teva’s Ajovy significantly reduces migraine in children and adolescents
Teva’s Ajovy (fremanezumab) has demonstrated significant reduction in monthly migraine and headache days in children …
Teva announces positive results from trial of AJOVY for migraine
Teva has announced positive results from the phase 4 PEARL study of AJOVY (fremanezumab), its …
