Migraines Getting Worse With Birth Control

What is an aura migraine?

I am a petite person too. I'm 5'2" and 100 lbs, and I never got "aura migraines" from birth control.

What's better than quitting is getting on to a different type of pill. Talk to a different gynecologist and discuss different pills and their ingredients.

Yes, you *can* just stop taking them, but you may have very weird cycles for the next few months. It's not harmful.

Your menstrual cycle will be weird but it shouldn't make your migraines worse.

I have the exact same situation as you- I have to be on progesterone forms of birth control. I tried the mirena but now I'm on a progesterone only pill, (also called a mini-pill) ortho-micronor.

If your migraines get worse with this pill or are suddenly worse than usual, you need to see the doc right away.

Also know that progesterone only pills are much more picky about timing- if you are even an hour late it can be less effective, if you miss one, you're in trouble. Therefore it's a good idea to keep a plan b pack around, so if you have sex one night, miss the next pill, you have a backup plan. Know what I mean?

Your body shouldn't have too much trouble switching though, it's not that drastic. I hope your migraines get better!

Eiri- migraines with aura is when people get severe migraines along with visual side effects- for example, I get tunnel vision when I'm about to get a migraine, and then they're so debilitating that I need to stay in bed for the day or a few days. People with these kinds of migraines are at a much higher risk of blood clots/stroke when they're taking estrogen. So some doctors won't prescribe it for you (including any who were trained at planned parenthood!)

Tsukaira- you can pm me if you have any questions- I went through all this a few years ago and learned a lot about it!

I used to get aura migraines every time I got my period, but when I started birth control (Yasmin) 3 years ago my aura migraines happened maybe once a year. My doctor told me not to continue using any birth control with estrogen because I have had these aura migraines and it can increase my chances of a stroke. But my gynocologist told me since the migraines went away that it's fine to continue using the pill. She prescribed me yaz instead though (maybe less estrogen?) but my doctor still doesn't want me to take it. I don't really know if I want to try Mirena because I like having a regular period and I like a lot of other stuff the pill has done for me (got rid of my acne, which was why I originally took the pill) but I am not sure which doctor to listen to :/ please help if possible! Thank you

Oh, I get auras with my migraines, but I never thought it was a risk with birth control. I don't think I've ever bothered talking about them to a gynecologist because I only get them once a year or so. I get blind spots that turn into sparkles and then the pain comes in.

Should I not get depo injected then!? Like I said I don't get the migraines often...

Nope you're fine, depo is progesterone only.

Some doctors worry about it, and some don't. I know for a fact that the ones I've dealt with at Planned parenthood have all been worried about it, but not the other docs I've seen. If you ever switch to something else again I'd check with the doc- but usually if they're concerned about it they'll ask when they take your medical history.

Although if you ever find that your migraines are getting worse, you should check in with your doc.

I really didn't have any until I started birth control, but I honestly can't remember if I had the first one before or after I started the pills so I don't want to link them unecessarily.

Thank goodness for depo being progesterone only though! I'm going in Monday I think...

But I was 20 years old when I first started birth control O.o

Hmmm..... well at least you're safe on Depo!

Has your doc ever asked about it? Like I said, not everyone is in agreement about if it's really dangerous or not, so I'd talk to my doc about it if you switch to something else. And it's listed as a risk factor on some brands but not others. If the bcp's were causing your migraines though, that is a problem. I guess no way to tell now!

Let us know how your depo experience is! I'm curious.

No, I've never heard anything about this until now... Yeah, I'll let you guys know for sure! I could really stand to gain a few pounds so it's not the end of the world if it happens. I'll just do sit ups!

I have been on tri sprintec and get the same type of headaches. to the point that they worry me. The dr changed my birthcontrol to ortho-tricyclin LO. So I hope that makes it better. i start them in a few days. That is the only BC i have been on to cause headaches though.

I have had migraines with aura since my early teens (I am 34 now) and in the last year they have increased dramatically. I am on the mirena and am considering coming off as I am sick of getting them every month. I was on the depo for 8 years and rarely got one; however I was advised to come off it as I am getting older and may want children one day. I was taking taking Elavil (10mg) every day but went up to 20mg per day when the migraines continued. I got another migraine today so am going to up it to 30mg and see what happens. Does anyone have any advice?? Should I try the progesterone only pill?