headaches!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-30-2004
headaches!
4
Mon, 05-03-2004 - 8:06pm
Ok - I have been trying continuous birth control for perimenopausal symptoms but I am having recurring headaches of varying intensity - some have been "menstrual migraines" which is interesting because I am not taking a break to get my period! I started with Loestrin 1/20 and then switched to the patch. The patch seemed to be going better with weeks free of headaches but now they seem to be coming back. What is so dissappointing is that my perimenopausal symptoms are way improved so I hate to give this plan up. My last ditch effort may be the nuvaring as that is the lowest does of hormones possible. Pretty sure the estrogen is the culprit as I did have migraines years ago from the estrogen level drop. Any suggestions?
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 05-03-2004 - 10:10pm
Hi hiphop, welcome back!

I think you are probably right about the estrogen. A lot of members have had very good results using NuvaRing so you might give it a try and see if it works for you. Let us know how you are doing.

Good luck to you.

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 05-05-2004 - 8:26am
Some people can definitely attribute headaches to estrogen, so it might be worth a try? But if you're doing continuous hormones, is it possible that the headaches aren't related to the hormones? Any problems in your back or neck? Anything in particular that seems to trigger them? Just as an example, I do have issues with my neck, and if it's out of alignment I'll get more headaches until I get back to the chiropractor and have it fixed. If I am not drinking enough water, I'll wake up with headaches in the morning, but having a glass of water before I go to bed helps those. I do get a lot of tension headaches, and stress for me can bring on migraines....

Does anything sound familiar?

Judie

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-30-2004
Wed, 05-05-2004 - 8:53am
Thanks for your reply, Judie. What is so frustrating about this is the continuous birth control should not cause the headaches in theory. These types of headaches are fairly unusual feeling and do not seem to be triggered by anything else. They feel like the ones I used to get when I was having my period and on the pill when I was younger. Also, I was not having these headaches at all before starting the patch/pill. I also get very heavy headed feeling with some congestion prior to the headaches which is called the"prodome" phase before a headaches starts. Sinuses are fine - I've had them checked.I also seem to be having some breakthrough bleeding for the first time (almost like a very light period) and this is my 12th week on the patch and I am in my 5th month of being on the pill in total. It feels like my levels have dropped even on the patch - is that possible? Or maybe I need stronger levels of hormones to shut off my body's natural hormones? I have a physical on Friday so I will run this by my internist for another opinion. Tough to figure out - I'm just trading off some problems for others it seems. Thanks for your time and response. Elaine
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 05-05-2004 - 9:36am

Judie is right.... they can be caused by MANY things... I'm a lot like you.. I was on Alesse and had many problems.

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