Are you wondering about headaches and MS?
Headaches are very common with MS — more than 25,000 MyMSTeam members report experiencing them. Studies show that 50-60% of people with MS have headaches, and about 24% experience migraines specifically, which is higher than in the general population.
Common headache types with MS Show Full Answer
Are you wondering about headaches and MS?
Headaches are very common with MS — more than 25,000 MyMSTeam members report experiencing them. Studies show that 50-60% of people with MS have headaches, and about 24% experience migraines specifically, which is higher than in the general population.
Common headache types with MS include:
* Migraine — intense, throbbing pain (usually one-sided) that can last hours or days, often with nausea and light sensitivity
* Tension headaches — feel like a band wrapped around your head with squeezing pressure
* Cluster headaches — occur in patterns on one side of the face
What causes them?
Headaches in MS can stem from several sources:
* Nerve damage and inflammation from MS itself (MS doubles your risk for headaches)
* Optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve causing pain behind the eyes)
* Trigeminal neuralgia (sharp, stabbing facial pain)
* MS medications like interferon-beta or Aubagio
* Common triggers like stress, fatigue, poor sleep, and weather changes
A MyMSTeam member shared: "It seems that when a stressful situation comes up, I get a headache and my brain feels hot."
When to talk to your doctor:
If your headaches are frequent, severe, or worsening — especially after starting a new medication — it's important to discuss this with your neurologist. They can help determine whether it's MS-related, medication-related, or from another cause, and recommend appropriate treatment options.
November 20, 2025
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