Often mistaken for an ordinary headache, chronic migraine can profoundly disrupt personal relationships, social activities and professional life. Women are particularly affected, while many patients continue to face misunderstanding and delayed recognition of the condition.
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A neurological condition that goes beyond headaches
Nearly 11 million people in France experience migraines, and approximately 870,000 live with chronic migraine, equivalent to around 1.7% of the French population, according to figures cited in a report originally published by Destination Santé in October 2024.
Although migraine is frequently dismissed as a common headache, medical specialists stress that it is a neurological disorder that can affect multiple aspects of a person’s health and everyday functioning.
Dr Solène de Gaalon, a neurologist at Nantes University Hospital and secretary of the French Society for Migraine and Headache Studies (SFEMC), explains that migraine involves recurring attacks that commonly cause headaches but may also produce sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and changes in mood.
Between attacks, many people with episodic migraine feel relatively well. Chronic migraine, however, can involve frequent episodes and persistent background pain, making it considerably harder for patients to plan their daily activities or maintain a consistent routine.
Women are disproportionately affected
Migraine affects both men and women, but its prevalence is significantly higher among women, with the difference becoming more apparent from adolescence.
According to Dr de Gaalon, migraine is particularly common among younger adults, including people in their thirties and forties. Symptoms may become less frequent with age and can decline after menopause for some women. Migraine is less common among adults over 60.
Hormonal changes can influence migraine patterns, including attacks associated with menstruation. However, recurrent or severe headaches should not simply be accepted as an inevitable part of being a woman.
Recognising migraine as a neurological condition rather than an ordinary inconvenience is an important step towards appropriate diagnosis and care.
When headaches become a chronic disability
Chronic migraine is generally defined by headache occurring on at least 15 days per month for more than three months, with migraine features present on at least eight days per month.
The frequency and unpredictability of attacks can significantly restrict daily life.
People with chronic migraine may avoid bright environments, loud places, crowded gatherings, disrupted sleep schedules or activities they fear could trigger an attack. Some also modify their eating habits and social routines in an effort to reduce symptoms.
The consequences can extend into the workplace. Repeated absences, reduced concentration and difficulty maintaining productivity may affect employment and professional opportunities.
The emotional impact can be equally significant. Persistent pain and the uncertainty surrounding the next attack may contribute to anxiety, low mood and social isolation. Patients can find themselves declining invitations or withdrawing from activities they previously enjoyed.
For these reasons, chronic migraine should be understood not only in terms of pain but also through its wider effects on independence, relationships, mental wellbeing and economic security.
Why migraine remains under-recognised
Despite its impact, migraine is often trivialised or misunderstood.
Some people associate it with nothing more than a headache that can be relieved by taking a painkiller. Others may not realise that effective medical management is possible, particularly when attacks become frequent or severe.
Cultural expectations can contribute to this problem. Women experiencing headaches around menstruation, for example, may assume that their symptoms are simply something they must endure.
This lack of recognition can delay diagnosis and appropriate treatment. It can also leave patients feeling that their symptoms are not taken seriously by colleagues, relatives and, at times, healthcare professionals.
Greater public awareness is therefore essential. Healthcare workers, including pharmacists and general practitioners, have an important role in identifying symptoms, explaining treatment options and helping patients obtain specialist care when necessary.
Diagnosis and treatment: Where patients can seek help
For many patients, a general practitioner can diagnose migraine and begin treatment. More complicated cases may require referral to a neurologist, while severe or treatment-resistant migraine may benefit from specialist headache clinics and pain-management services.
At Nantes University Hospital, for example, specialist consultations are available through neurology and pain-management services.
Treatment should be tailored to the individual, taking into account the frequency and severity of attacks, other symptoms, existing medication and the effect of migraine on everyday life. Depending on the case, healthcare professionals may recommend medication to relieve attacks, preventive treatments, lifestyle adjustments or a combination of approaches.
Patients who experience frequent headaches should seek medical advice rather than repeatedly increasing their use of painkillers without guidance. Frequent use of certain headache medicines can itself contribute to medication-overuse headaches.
Keeping a headache diary can also help patients and clinicians identify patterns, monitor the number of headache days and assess whether treatment is working.
Patient organisations offer support and information
For people living with chronic migraine, connecting with others who understand the condition can help reduce isolation and provide practical support.
The French patient association La Voix des Migraineux works to support people affected by migraine and their relatives through information, awareness campaigns and opportunities to share experiences.
Association president Sabine Debremaeker describes its work as focusing on four main areas: providing support through social media and messaging services; publishing accessible, updated information; organising the Francophone Migraine Summit; and raising awareness of the broader consequences of migraine beyond pain alone.
The organisation also advocates for better recognition of the disability associated with migraine and improved access to care.
Online resources help patients understand their condition
The website Stop Migraine provides information and resources intended to help people better understand migraine and its effects on daily life.
It includes educational material, patient accounts and tools designed to help individuals assess how migraine affects their routines and wellbeing.
Meanwhile, the French Society for Migraine and Headache Studies (SFEMC) promotes clinical care, education and research in the field of headaches and migraine.
A call for greater recognition
Chronic migraine is more than an occasional headache. For hundreds of thousands of people in France, it can be a persistent and disabling condition that affects work, family life, social participation and emotional wellbeing.
Greater recognition can help patients seek care earlier, reduce stigma and improve understanding among employers, relatives and healthcare professionals.
Although migraine cannot always be eliminated, appropriate medical support can help many patients manage their symptoms and reduce the disruption to everyday life.
The message from specialists and patient advocates is clear: recurrent, severe or disabling headaches deserve medical attention, not dismissal.
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Health information notice: This article is for general information and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Sudden, unusually severe headaches or headaches accompanied by new neurological symptoms require urgent medical assessment.
Source: Destination Santé, originally published 21 October 2024; related reporting published by Sud Ouest. The figures above reflect the source article and should not be interpreted as newly verified 2026 prevalence estimates.
