Intergender differences in triggering factors among different subtypes of migraine and tension-type headache [Migren tipleri arasi{dotless}nda ve gerilim-tipi başaǧri{dotless}si{dotless}nda tetikleyici faktörlerde cinsiyete göre farkli{dotless}li{dotless}klar]

Background: there are only few studies adressing differences of triggering factors between genders and different types of migraine. this study was conducted to assess the differences between triggering factors and their intergender differences in migraine with aura(ma),migraine without aura(mo) and tension-type headache(tth) methods: a total of 221 patients (53 ma,129 mo and 39 tth) were given a questionnaire consisting of headache triggers. results: logistic regression analysis revealed that female sex,bright light and skipping meals were associated with migraine and milk was associated with tth. comparison according to gender showed that in mo the total sum of triggers was higher and bright light,loud noise,strong odors,coffeinated beverages,insufficient sleep,high altitude and having any food trigger were more frequent in females. in ma no gender difference was found. in patients with tth alcoholic beverages other than red wine were a more common trigger among male patients conclusion: our results show that triggers differ among females and males with mo but not ma. this may suggest that the female brain is more vulnerable to triggers in mo. it is possible that the regions of the brain on which triggers act show gender specific differences possibly related to differences in neurotransmitter concentrations,receptors,excitability and hormonal interactions.