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A certain link is said to exist between some methods of birth control, headaches, and migraines. Understanding this link can be helpful in some instances. That is like if you are due for a gynecologist London private (or NHS) clinic visit where contraception is to be discussed. The key thing to know is which type of birth control can trigger or worsen migraines. You may also need to be aware of birth prevention methods that may be unsuitable for you if you are prone to migraines.
The link that exists between birth control and headaches
Sometimes it leads to certain side effects. Doctors will tell you that no birth control method can be termed as being fully ‘perfect’. There are side effects to beware of in all cases. That is indeed why people are advised to consult doctors, before starting to use it. You certainly should search for a public (NHS) or private gynecologist in London near you. That should be before initiating its usage.
Now as it turns out, one of the side effects associated with certain birth control methods is of headaches. This is where people who use such birth prevention methods start to experience headaches more frequently. Or they experience headaches more intensely than they did previously. The whole effect is of greater concern when the headache manifests as a ‘migraine with aura’.
What does a ‘migraine with aura’ mean?
Firstly, we have to define a migraine as a headache that brings about a severe throbbing pain. Now that sort of headache is sometimes also accompanied by other symptoms. Those include blind spots, dizziness, and seeing colored lines or patterns. Some other symptoms include temporary blindness, seeing a zig-zag pattern, and muscle weakness. Then it is referred to as a ‘migraine with aura’.
The aura may set in gradually, and remain for as long as one hour.
What connection exists between birth control and migraine with aura?
Firstly, it is important to mention that having a migraine with aura increases one’s risk of having an ischemic stroke. That can happen later in life.
Secondly, it is worth knowing that using estrogen-based birth control (very slightly) increases one’s risk of having stroke.
The inference should then be clear. If someone has migraines with aura, and they take estrogen-based birth control, the stroke risk goes up. That is because, as noted earlier, by virtue of having migraines with aura, they were at higher stroke risk. Then you add the risk which comes with usage of estrogen-based birth prevention.
The combined contraceptive pill that is taken orally is one that contains estrogen. It therefore shouldn’t be taken by women who suffer from migraines with aura.
Earlier, we said that searching for a gynecologist in London is advisable before starting to use. One of the reasons is in that the gynecologist can enquire on your proneness to conditions like migraines with aura. And if they find that you indeed are prone to such migraines, they can advise you against taking estrogen-based birth control. So that is what makes it necessary for you to search for a public (NHS) or private gynaecologist London near you. This should be prior to it usage initiation.
However, it is important to emphasize that the risk is only enhanced specifically for women who suffer from migraines with aura. Those that suffer from ‘ordinary’ migraines (without aura) should have no issues with usage of estrogen pills.
So, does birth control increase risk of suffering from stroke later?
It is an established fact that estrogen-based birth control is a (very slight) risk factor for stroke. Due to this fact, women who have other major stroke risk factors are advised not to take such estrogen-based birth control.
Thus someone who has ever suffered from migraine with aura shouldn’t take estrogen-based birth control. That is specifically the combined oral pill. And this applies even if one only suffered from migraine with aura during the childhood.
Thankfully, this slight stroke risk doesn’t apply for progesterone-based contraceptives.
Which forms of birth control may be safely used by people who suffer from migraines with aura?
The progesterone-based birth control is one good option for women who suffer from migraines with aura. So it is viable for them to use the progesterone-only pill. Another viable option is that of using progesterone injection. There are also intrauterine devices, which can work quite well.
If you are a person who has ever suffered from migraines with aura, you really need to be careful before starting to use birth control. You certainly need to find a NHS or private gynaecologist near you for assessment prior to birth control usage initiation. And even if the doctor doesn’t ask about it, you should mention the fact that you have suffered from migraines with aura at some point. This will help them in working out an ideal/safer contraceptive plan for you.
Further information on the link between birth control and migraines
It has been observed that that the change in blood estrogen levels tends to trigger migraines in certain women. So you find that those who use estrogen-based pills or patches have migraines during the estrogen-free intervals. Now as long as the migraines are without aura, one needn’t stop using it. The migraines may be controlled by use of painkillers. If those don’t work, opting to tri-cycle the pill may offer a solution. It means take the three packets(means in nine weeks) continuously and then take break for seven days. This will reduce the migraine attack. And if that too doesn’t work, there is always the option of switching to another birth control method.
If need a gynecologist appointment in London then Private GP London clinic offers gynaecological services as well.
