If you’re migraining and can’t read too good, this video summarizes the info: New Migraine Prevention Goals by the IHS (2025)


The International Headache Society says no more to a blanket 50% reduction in migraines counting as “successfully treated.” Instead, treatment success should be measured by migraine days per month, with more than 6 days considered “insufficient control.”

Figure 2. Aspirational goals of migraine prevention according to the position statement of the International Headache Society.

Excerpts from the “Setting goals of migraine burden while on treatment” section:

Migraine Freedom. This is defined as the complete elimination of days with migraine or moderate-to-severe headache, ideally over a period of three months.

Optimal Control. This is defined as less than four days with migraine or moderate-to-severe headache per month for three months, with a satisfactory response to acute treatment, defined as pain-freedom within two hours from the intake.

Modest Control. This is defined as four to six days with migraine or moderate-to-severe headache per month. In this case, disability may persist, but this level of control may represent a meaningful improvement especially for those with high frequency episodic migraine (10–14 headache days per month) or CM (>14 headache days per month) before treatment.

Insufficient Control. This is defined as more than six days with migraine or moderate-to-severe headache per month. At this level, migraine imposes a substantial burden and may require frequent use of acute medications.