Up to 60 percent of women suffering from migraines experience menstrual migraines, a condition which can be highly disruptive to women's lives. One of these 12 million women is tennis great Serena Williams. After suffering in silence from menstrual migraines, which nearly sidelined her career, Williams is now speaking out in a national educational effort to help other menstrual migraine sufferers get proper diagnosis and treatment.

The "Rally for Menstrual Migraine" program, led by Williams and supported by Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc., is designed to raise awareness of menstrual migraine.

There are two types of menstrual migraines -; Menstrually Related Migraine (MRM) and Pure Menstrual Migraine (PMM). MRM is a headache of moderate-to-severe pain intensity that happens around the time of a woman's period and at other times of the month as well. PMM is similar in every respect but only occurs around the time of a woman's period.

Menstrual migraines can have a serious and debilitating impact on women who suffer from the condition. Compared to non-menstrual migraines, menstrual migraines can be more severe, longer in duration (lasting up to three days) and may have a higher probability of recurrence.

"I suffered with menstrual migraines for years before my doctor found a treatment appropriate for me," says Williams, one of the most dominant women in tennis who has stated that her game has sometimes been severely affected by her menstrual migraines. "Now, I've joined the Rally for Menstrual Migraine campaign to tell women my story, let them know that there is hope and that they should seek help."

Last year, Williams began using Frova? (frovatriptan succinate), Endo Pharmaceutical's migraine medication, to treat her menstrual migraines, which had plagued her since she was 18. Prior to Frova?, she had tried a number of treatments without success. "I really struggled with menstrual migraine, but using Frova? has truly helped me," said Williams.

Many women do not realize that the moderate-to-severe, recurring headache they endure around the time of menstruation could in fact be a menstrual migraine. "Doctors and patients alike should be better informed about the signs and symptoms of menstrual migraine," said Larry Newman, M.D., Director of the Headache Institute at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. "If we can improve awareness of menstrual migraine as a distinct condition, as it is believed to be, diagnosis should improve, and more women will gain access to treatment."

Despite a busy schedule that includes playing world-class tennis, authoring a book, starring in a reality show and designing a fashion line, Williams is passionate about sharing her personal struggle with menstrual migraine so women do not have to suffer as she has. Williams encourages women across America to join her "Rally for Menstrual Migraine."

Frova? is a triptan medication used to treat migraine headaches in adults. Only your doctor can decide if Frova? is right for you. Do not use Frova? if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure; have heart disease or a history of heart disease; have had a stroke; have circulation (blood flow) problems; or have hemiplegic or basilar migraine (if you are not sure about this, ask your doctor). Do not take Frova? if you have an allergic reaction to the tablet or within 24 hours of taking any triptans or ergotamine medications.

The most common side effects associated with the use of Frova? are dizziness, tiredness, feeling of tingling, hot flashes, headache (other than migraine headache), dry mouth, hot or cold sensation, pain in joints or bones, chest pain and indigestion.