Within both episodic and chronic migraine, there are many subtypes. Understanding your specific type can help guide treatment and give you language to advocate for yourself with providers.
Migraine without Aura
The most common subtype, accounting for about 70–75% of all migraine. Involves moderate to severe head pain with symptoms like nausea, light sensitivity, and sound sensitivity — but without the neurological warning signs of aura.
Migraine with Aura
Affects about 25–30% of people with migraine. Aura symptoms — such as visual disturbances, tingling, numbness, or speech changes — typically develop gradually over 5–60 minutes before or during the headache phase.
Vestibular Migraine
One of the most underdiagnosed types. Characterized by episodes of dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems that can last minutes to days. Head pain may or may not be present. It is the most common cause of episodic vertigo.
Hemiplegic Migraine
A rare and often frightening subtype that causes temporary motor weakness or paralysis on one side of the body during the aura phase. Symptoms can mimic a stroke. It can be familial (inherited) or sporadic.
Migraine with Brainstem Aura
Previously called basilar migraine. Aura symptoms originate from the brainstem and can include vertigo, slurred speech, double vision, ringing in the ears, and loss of coordination. It does not include motor weakness.
Retinal Migraine
Involves repeated episodes of temporary, partial, or complete vision loss in one eye, accompanied or followed by a headache. It is rare and requires careful evaluation to rule out other causes of vision loss.
Silent Migraine (Acephalgic Migraine)
All the neurological symptoms of migraine — aura, nausea, light sensitivity, brain fog — but without the headache. Often goes undiagnosed because people don’t associate their symptoms with migraine.
Menstrual Migraine
Attacks that are closely linked to the menstrual cycle, typically occurring in the 2 days before through the first 3 days of menstruation. Driven by the drop in estrogen levels. These attacks tend to be longer, more severe, and harder to treat.
Abdominal Migraine
Most common in children. Causes episodes of moderate to severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting — often without a headache. Many children with abdominal migraine go on to develop more typical migraine as adults.
Status Migrainosus
A debilitating migraine attack that lasts longer than 72 hours. Considered a medical complication of migraine that may require emergency treatment, IV fluids, and rescue medications.
Medication Overuse Headache (MOH)
Also known as rebound headache. Develops when acute migraine medications are used too frequently (typically more than 10–15 days per month), paradoxically causing more headaches. Breaking the cycle often requires medical supervision.