Hiya
My migraines restarted when I was about 43 after a break of many years. I asked my doctor if it was likely to be due to changing hormones and he just shrugged. I am sure it is hormonal: migraines started at puberty, stopped when I was about 20 (hormones stable)and started again in my forties. At one time I was getting 20 migraines a month and was feeling awful. I took various migraine prophylactics for 10 years, the latest being Topiramate, an anti-epileptic, which was very effective and reduced the number to 1 or 2 a month. I recently stopped Topiramate as I have been diagnosed with severe osteopenia (genetic) and it is not known whether this drug, like other anti-epileptics, increases bone loss. I am now on HRT and, touch wood, my migraines have not increased. I take Evorel 50 patches with Utrogestan 200mg on days 15 to 26. My doctor says that the patches are good for migraineurs as the oestrogen release is steady - no highs and lows - and does not go through the liver.
I am so sorry you are in a dilemma because of your mum's experience and hope you find a solution soon x