Endometriosis, migraines, birth control

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-11-2007
Endometriosis, migraines, birth control
4
Thu, 01-11-2007 - 4:41pm
I have endometriosis so my doctor has had me try a number of low estrogen birth control products...Seasonale, Yasmin, Nuvaring, but I get lots of migraines as a result of the changing level of hormones throughout the month. I am 99% infertile, so I really don't need the birth control protection. Is anyone aware of a product/method that provides a constant level of hormones or that hasn't increased migraine frequency? Thanks!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 01-11-2007 - 8:37pm

Hi lgsrm, welcome!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2006
Fri, 01-12-2007 - 9:07pm

How long did you try Seasonale? The first 12 weeks I had regular migraines (about 5 in 12 weeks) and a new migraine (ocular migraine that didn't hurt but blinded me for 20 minutes). I just now finished my 2nd 12 week pack and didn't take a break for a period. I am on the first row of my 3rd 12 week pack. I have not had a migraine (or a period) in 13 weeks!!! Also, all my endo symptoms have gone away. And my fibrocystic breast disease pain is non existant. IBS has cleared up, too. So has my bloating from PMS.

My doctor has me on continuous Seasonale. I was dubious at first since I bled for the entire first 12 weeks on it. Now 6 months into it and I feel great.

You might want to give Seasonale another try. It's now generic and I only pay $10 for the Jolessa rx. Darn cheap and effective.

Apricot

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-11-2007
Mon, 01-15-2007 - 11:16am

I'm glad to hear that you have found something that works well. I may give Seasonale a try again, or ask my doctor about the sister product that Jill mentioned. Pretty sure I only took the Seasonale for 3 or 4 months. I hadn't linked the pills to my increased migraines at the time. Mainly, I stopped becuase of break through bleeding, much like you describe. I also have found that if I miss even one pill, I get irrational and very emotional. That symptom seemed the worst with Seasonale.

Talked to my doctor a few days ago and he thinks my body is probably still adjusting to the Nuvaring, which is why I had a 17 day period an 10 consecutive days of migraines. I've only had it in for about 3.5 weeks. I'm sure he's right. But I noticed other things....my husband says he can feel it, making intercourse uncomfortable for him. Also, I don't seem to have enough natural lubrication. Finally, I am a wimp...the insertion and removal is too much for me. Especially, since I now remove it and put it back in after intercourse.

Thanks for the information!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2007
Wed, 01-17-2007 - 1:14am
hi read your message about your problems and saw that you are maybe going to give seasonale another try-- i am 22 years old and i am getting ready to have laproscopy on thursday the 18th to determine if i have endometriosis-- the tell me i am too young to have the problems i have-- i have had problems with migraines since i started my period when i was 12. they have tried me on all the diff kinds of migraine medicines and i have been on several diff birth control pills-- i did seasonal for a little over a year and not only was i paying an arm and a leg for it but it ended up messing my insides up even more-- they told me that it is not made for women who have irregular periods. it caused me to get really sick-- instead of the normal break thru bleeding--i had a constant period for 6 mths with out a break-- so i was loosing to much blood-- then once i hit the 6 mth mark my migraines got so bad that it made my vision get worse and i started having panic attacks== it messed my hormones up and messed my cycles up even more-- they said it was the worst mistake that any dr could have done for me-- so that may be the thing with you why it didn't work-- but i now have an iud that i have for a year and yes it is good for not getting prego and in your case you don't need that but it has helped my cycles so much== my migraines have subsided to a couple of days a week instead of every day-- i don't have heavy periods anymore and they normally last 2 to 3 days-- the good thing though is that after 6mth to a year that you completely stop having periods-- there have been some mths i haven't had one and it was great-- it can stay in for 5 years and then have it replaced-- i know alot of women that can't have kids but they still use it and love it for the fact it helps with their cycles-- hope this helps-- all the best to you..