Hormonal BC for use with migraines - Birth Control Message Board

grantwomack · 11-26-2004, 11:55 AM

Does anyone know of a female birth control that will work with migraines? My wife started getting them about 3 years ago for no particular reason. The doctor told her to come off the pill because of blood clot risks. So for a while, she went onto the minipill but that made her really depressed - not good at all! Then she tried Yasmin for a while and that seemed to work but she started getting migraines again last spring so her doctor over here told her to go off the pill once again. She started taking some migraine medicine that has completely stopped those (apart from when she forgets to take one) but we still don't have anything other than barrier protection as a BC, which I don't really feel 100% safe with.

From what I've read, NuvaRing is supposed to help alleviate migraines. Is this the case? And would it be safe to use whilst taking migraine medicine? Help appreciated!

BorderGirl · 11-26-2004, 09:05 PM

Its low dose which helps some people, but for others any amount of hormones will trigger a migraine. If I didn't HAVE to take the pill I'd use nfp in a heartbeat. But if I was going to use a barrier I'd still incorporate fertility awareness and abstain on my fertile days to increase the effectiveness. Of course no method is 100% effective...

grantwomack · 11-28-2004, 04:43 PM

Doesn't anyone use hormonal birth control and have migraines?

BorderGirl · 11-28-2004, 05:10 PM

I do. But only because I have other bad health problems that require it until I have surgery. I used to get migraines twice a year. Now that I'm on the pill its more like once a week. I don't blame your wife for wanting to avoid it if she can, especially since her doctor advises it.