Men With Migraine

Recognize that migraine is a genetic predisposition, not caused by personal fault. Most migraine triggers are unavoidable parts of life. Attacks typically result from multiple triggers happening simultaneously, not just one factor.

A good doctor should educate you about your condition, provide treatment options, and show empathy, not blame you for your symptoms.

If a doctor is blaming lifestyle choices and not addressing the actual condition men can try to:

- Explain that migraine is not something they caused
- Request a comprehensive evaluation
- Check for underlying medical factors (like vitamin levels)
- If the doctor continues to blame you and dismiss your condition, it may be time to find a new healthcare provider.

f your doctor is consistently telling you it's "all your fault" and not providing proper medical care, it might be best to move on and find a healthcare professional who understands migraine as a legitimate medical condition.

—Dr. Berk

Some workplaces are challenging, but many will be willing to make adjustments if approached professionally and with clear documentation.

Start by getingt a formal letter describing your medical condition. Work with your healthcare provider to outline specific, reasonable accommodations and be prepared to negotiate and document your needs. Most employers will work with you if accommodations are reasonable

Accommodations that can be helpful include:

1. Remote work options
2. Flexible scheduling
3. Adjusting work hours to avoid high-stress or high-commute times
4. Coming in early or staying late
5. Access to a dark, quiet room during attacks
6. Ability to rest for 30-60 minutes during an attack
7. Taking medication and resting before returning to work2. Some states require employers to make reasonable adjustments

—Dr.Berk

It usually involves basic things like being allowed to take their medication at school, have their sports drink to be able to hydrate, use the bathroom, have snacks. Other accommodations that may be needed are extra time to do tests, extra time on assignments, breaks during the school day when needed.

We try to stay away from blanket excuses for school absences, because we want them to function, and being at home and missing more school creates a negative loop where you miss school, get stressed out about all the work to make up, and then the stress actually can be a trigger for the migraine attacks, so they miss more days. School can become a negative place to be because they always feel like they’re behind, so we focus on how we can make school a more tolerable place versus not being there at all. When their functioning is significantly impacted at school we will suggest a formal plan like a 504 plan.

—Dr. Slater

There's a problematic notion of "manning up." Society often expects men to appear strong and invulnerable. To suppress their symptoms
and avoid seeking help. This attitude is unhealthy and creates additional stigma

To best manage this belief, men should:
- Be direct and specific about symptoms
- Demand comprehensive evaluation
- Seek providers who understand migraine as a legitimate medical condition

Men need to break the silence about their health experiences. By sharing their stories, they can challenge stereotypes about masculinity and help demonstrate that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Being open about your experience can interrupt the cycle of stigma and potentially help manage your condition more effectively.

—Dr. Berk