Migraines in Men: What Social Factors and Lifestyle May Be Telling Us
- Julian Simpson
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Migraines in Men: What Social Factors and Lifestyle May Be Telling Us
When most people think of migraines, they often associate them with women — and for good reason. Migraines are about twice as common in women as in men. But that doesn’t mean migraines in men are rare, unimportant, or well understood.
In fact, migraines in men are under-researched, and growing evidence shows that social, lifestyle, and metabolic factors may play a meaningful role in how migraines show up, how severe they become, and how often they occur.
At Health Wise Chiropractic, we take a whole-person, evidence-informed approach. Let’s explore what recent large-scale research tells us about migraines in men, and why factors like weight, income, work stress, and lifestyle matter.
How Common Are Migraines in Men?
Large population studies show that:
Around 9–17% of men experience migraine or severe headaches
Rates vary significantly between countries and cultures
Men may experience migraines differently than women — in frequency, severity, and triggers
A major international study compared data from:
A nationwide Chinese population survey
The U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
Together, these datasets included over 6,700 men, making this one of the most comprehensive looks at migraines in men to date.
Key Findings: What Increases Migraine Risk in Men?
1. Body Weight Matters
Across both countries, one factor stood out clearly:
👉 Obesity was consistently associated with higher migraine risk
Obese men were significantly more likely to report migraines or severe headaches
In U.S. data, being underweight was also linked with higher migraine risk
Differences in diet, metabolism, inflammation, and nervous system stress may explain this connection
Why this matters:Excess body weight is linked to chronic inflammation, altered pain processing, and reduced nervous system resilience — all factors involved in migraine physiology.
2. Income and Socioeconomic Stress Play a Role
Men with lower household income were more likely to experience migraines in both China and the U.S.
Possible explanations include:
Higher stress exposure
Less access to healthcare
Reduced ability to prioritise recovery, sleep, nutrition, and exercise
Greater work–life pressure
It’s not clear whether migraines contribute to lower income — or whether financial stress increases migraine risk — but the link is consistent.
3. Work and Occupation May Affect Men Differently
In the Chinese population, employment status and occupation were linked to migraine risk in men.
This suggests:
Workload, physical demands, job insecurity, and stress may influence migraine patterns
Men may experience a stronger link between work stress and headache burden than women
This aligns with research showing that men with migraines often experience higher work–family conflict, which may amplify nervous system strain.
4. Age, Culture, and Lifestyle Matter
Migraine prevalence was generally lower in Chinese men than in American men
U.S. men had significantly higher rates of overweight and obesity
Cultural differences in diet, physical activity, healthcare access, and stress exposure likely contribute
These findings remind us that migraines are not just biological — they’re influenced by environment, culture, and lifestyle.
What About Marriage, Education, and Relationships?
Interestingly:
Marital status was not consistently linked to migraines in men
Education level showed mixed results between countries
These factors may still matter indirectly through stress, mental health, and lifestyle habits
More research is needed to fully understand these relationships.
What This Means for Migraine Care
Migraines are not caused by one single factor. For men especially, they appear to be influenced by a combination of nervous system health, metabolic factors, stress, and lifestyle pressures.
That’s why effective migraine care should look beyond medication alone.
At Health Wise Chiropractic, we focus on:
Nervous system regulation
Spinal and postural health
Stress load and recovery capacity
Movement, breathing, and lifestyle habits
Individual risk factors — not one-size-fits-all advice
Practical Takeaways for Men with Migraines
✔ Maintain a healthy body weight✔ Manage stress — especially work-related stress✔ Prioritise sleep and recovery✔ Move regularly and avoid prolonged postural strain✔ Address spinal and nervous system function✔ Seek care that looks at the whole picture, not just symptoms
A Whole-Person Approach Makes the Difference
This research reinforces an important message:Migraines in men are real, common, and influenced by lifestyle and social factors — not just biology.
Understanding these influences allows for more personalised, effective care.
If migraines or severe headaches are affecting your work, health, or quality of life, our team at Health Wise Chiropractic is here to help you explore evidence-based, drug-free strategies that support your nervous system and overall wellbeing.
📍 Book an appointment or speak with our team to learn more.
Headache Chiropractor
Q: Can a chiropractor help with headaches?Yes, chiropractic care can help relieve tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches by improving spinal alignment and reducing muscle tension.
Q: How does chiropractic treat headaches?We use gentle spinal adjustments, posture correction, and muscle therapy to relieve the stress and pressure that often trigger headaches.
Q: Is chiropractic care safe for frequent headaches?Yes, chiropractic is a safe and drug-free option for many types of headaches when provided by qualified practitioners.
Q: How soon will I feel headache relief?Some patients notice improvement after their first few visits, while others may need a tailored care plan depending on the cause of their headaches.
For more information about how we can help YOU with your headaches and improve your underlying dysfunction so the problem doesn’t come back. Please call Health Wise Chiropractic 03 9467 7889 or book online to see one of our Chiropractors in Sunbury or Melton/Strathtulloh Today!
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Yu Z, Zhang J, He M, Liu R, Yu S. The association between social factors and migraine or severe headache in men: a secondary analysis of national population-based studies with machine learning models. J Headache Pain. 2025 Nov 12;26(1):254. doi: 10.1186/s10194-025-02206-w. PMID: 41225317; PMCID: PMC12613444.
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