BCP and migranes
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| Sun, 04-23-2006 - 1:28am |
When I am on the pill, I get a migrane 3 days after the start of my period, every month. My doctor says this is unusual. Most of the time when women get migranes while on the pill, it is while they are still taking the hormone, not when they are menstrating. I originally went on the pill because my period is very irregular. The fact that it prevents pregnancy is a bonus and a lot less intrusive than female non-hormonal BC. I went off last May, due to the headaches. I started on a new pill in Feb and got the worst migrane yet. I visited the gyno and she said that the patch or ring might help, due to the fact that I wouldn't be digesting the hormone. I chose the patch(the ring is not covered on my insurance). I haven't gotten my period since Feb and gyno did a pg test in March when I got my perscription. It was negative. So, I haven't been able to start the patch yet. Is it true that the patch will alieviate my migranes or will I not be able to use hormonal BC? Anything you can tell me will be a big help.
Thanks!
Erin

Hey Erin,
I had a similar problem on the pill. I would get awful headaches during my placebo week from the estrogen withdraw. My doctor said this was a pretty common side effect depending on how much estrogen is in whatever pill you are using. I tried tri-cycling on a lower dose pill, Mircette, it also has a small amount of estrogen in the placebo pills. My headaches did go away. Unfortuantely, I had some other not so desirable side effects. I currently have a Mirena IUD and have no problems with headaches.
Since the patch is a low dose method maybe it will help.
Good Luck,
Allison
Hi erin529, welcome!
Jill
Thanks for the suggestions, ladies ;) I really did want to do the ring, but not sure how much that will be w/o insurance(it's not covered, stupid Cigna). I know they don't recommend any kind of IUD if you haven't had kids yet, so that's out for me. I will try the patch for the first month. If it still gives me the headaches, I will chat with the gyno about other options. Thanks again!
Erin
I have a different question on the same subject:
I've been having migraine-grade headaches every day for about two months. Three doctors don't know the cause yet--I have a CT scan scheduled and am on prescription pain meds.
I would like to know if I could eliminate my BC pills as a cause (I take Orthocyclen) beacuse the headaches are everyday, and could not be linked to estrogen withdrawl? I've been on the pill 9 months, and this is a new occurance.
Thanks!
Hi there.
I just wanted to jump in and say that if you still haven't come right after being on BCP, and you still haven't got your libido back, then it is probably something other than the BCP causing the problems.
Have you had your hormone levels tested?