How long does a migraine last?
An untreated migraine attack typically lasts anywhere from 4 to 72 hours — from a few hours to about three days. On top of that, the postdrome or 'migraine hangover' can leave you drained for a further day or so. An attack that runs beyond 72 hours has a specific name (status migrainosus) and is a reason to seek medical advice.
The 4-to-72-hour range
The recognised criteria for migraine put an untreated (or unsuccessfully treated) attack at 4 to 72 hours. Within that range there's huge variation: some people have short, sharp attacks, others endure the full three days. Treatment taken early can shorten an attack, while the phases either side — the prodrome beforehand and the postdrome after — extend the total experience well past the headache itself. So the 'length' of a migraine depends on whether you count just the pain or the whole cycle.
When an attack is unusually long
A migraine attack that lasts more than 72 hours without meaningful relief is called status migrainosus. It's debilitating and is a reason to seek medical care rather than to keep waiting it out. Likewise, a headache that is sudden and severe, the 'worst ever', or clearly different from your usual attacks warrants prompt medical attention. Length alone isn't the only thing that matters — a change in character does too.
How tracking helps
Logging when each attack starts and ends builds an accurate sense of your typical duration and flags the outliers that run long. That helps a clinician understand your burden and spot attacks that may need different handling. Temple records attack timing and duration; it documents your pattern and isn't a substitute for medical care when an attack is severe or prolonged. Temple is a tracking tool, not medical advice — for anything specific to you, consult a healthcare professional.
Temple records when each attack starts and ends, so your typical duration is clear and the unusually long ones stand out.
Common questions
- How long is too long for a migraine?
- An untreated attack usually lasts 4 to 72 hours. One that continues beyond 72 hours is called status migrainosus and is a reason to seek medical advice rather than wait it out, as is any sudden, severe or unusual headache.
- Why do I feel drained after the headache goes?
- That's the postdrome, or migraine hangover — a recognised final phase that can leave you foggy, tired and tender for up to a day after the pain eases. It's part of the attack, and tracking it shows the full length of your migraines.