UPDATE: New findings reveal that Australian women are facing a severe health crisis, with one in three experiencing frequent migraines. Researchers and advocates are urgently calling for increased investment in migraine treatment solutions to address this significant health gap.
Data from the 2025 national women’s health survey, published in August, highlights that women are twice as likely as men to suffer from this debilitating condition. Experts stress that migraines are not merely a nuisance; they are complex neurological events that can drastically impact daily life.
Justine Martin, a resilience coach and author who has battled hemiplegic migraines for decades, shared her struggle. “I’ve been suffering from migraines since I was 15 and it’s not gotten any easier after 40 years,” she told AAP. “It’s frustrating because when you have a migraine, people can’t see what is happening in your head.”
Martin, now 54, describes her condition as a constant game of roulette, never knowing when a migraine will strike. “The older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve noticed different things that trigger them, but it’s really been trial and error,” she explained, emphasizing the emotional toll this condition takes on women during their prime years.
According to research from Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, migraines hit hardest in women’s thirties, the critical period when they are building careers and families. Sarah White, a representative from Jean Hailes, stated, “The cost of days lost to pain is immense for individual women, which has broader consequences on society.”
Olivia, a migraine sufferer who chose to remain anonymous, shared that her migraines began at the age of 10, often causing sudden loss of peripheral vision. “It was very disruptive in high school. I had to have my parents pick me up early many times,” she recalled. Although the severity has decreased over the years, persistent headaches continue to disrupt her corporate job. “With frequent headaches, it’s something you always have to be prepared for,” she added.
The economic implications are staggering. Addressing migraines could potentially boost the global economy by $80 billion (approximately $121 billion AUD), according to the 2025 World Economic Forum Insights Report. Advocates are urging for more national attention to this pressing issue.
Carl Cincinnato of Migraine and Headache Australia expressed the urgent need for action: “We must do better for the one in three women affected by this disorder, which can be debilitating for so many.”
As the health community pushes for more research and resources, the call to action is clear. Women across Australia are asking for recognition of their struggles and support for treatments that can transform their lives. The conversation around migraines must continue to gain traction if meaningful change is to occur.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as advocates work tirelessly to bring attention to the plight of women suffering from migraines and the urgent need for effective solutions.
