Migraine

I have been reading various posts on this site about birth control and migraines. I was told by my doctor at my last visit that I need to go off BC pills (on ortho-lo) due to risk of stroke. I will be 36 in a few days, don't smoke, do not have menstrual migraines, do not have auras, am on Topamax, and have a migraine which requires demoral about every 6-8 weeks or so. I was given and IUD option, but like others am scared of it. When I am not on BC my periods are heavy and crampy, and I am not looking forward to this, plus I am in need on birth control. Many of the posts I have been reading are related to menstrual headaches. I am just wondering if there could be any options out there for me for birth control that do not involve and IUD.

Thanks
Jennifer

Hi!

I know I'm not Teri - but I thought I'd pop in and give you some info that may help you out.

First of all - if the only reason for your doctor not keeping you on the BC is because if stroke risk due to migraine - that does not seem right to me. If you are in all other concerns of life healthy - then you should be able to take it. I mean, I have migraines, vasular problems, I'm 30 and I still somewhat smoke and I take birth control and have migraine with aura.

I'm not saying it's for everyone - but maybe there is another reason he is not telling you? If it's just the "stroke risks" reason - yes there is risk but it is minimal - there is risk with everything. Here is a link to an article Teri put together on info of stroke risk with migraine. Here is another. That I can see - there is risk - yes, and with everything you add, smoking, birth control, the risk grows, but if you are nonsmoking - and your only "medical condition" is migraine.....I don't really see the problem - but I am not a doctor (surprise! LOL).

I'm sure Teri will pop in and give you some more good stuff as well.

Hope this help you out a bit.

Take care!

Jennifer,

It sounds like a situation where your doctor needs to sit down and talk with you in more detail so you can weigh the benefits of BCPs against the risks. You might also want to take a look at our article on Migraine and Stroke Risk.

Here are some basic statistics:

• "The average stroke prevalence in women in the general population is 9 per 100,000, which represents absolute risk.
  
• If patients with migraine have an average of 2.16 times greater risk that's about 20 per 100,000, still a very low absolute risk.
  
• On oral contraceptives, the absolute risk is about 75 per 100,000.

It seems to me that you have two issues with discontinuing oral contraceptives -- heavy, crampy periods and birth control. I can sympathize with you on the periods. I used OCs to control mine for years. My doctor finally insisted I stop taking them because of my blood pressure. As for birth control, is it your doctor giving you any options other than an IUD? What about a diaphragm and condoms? I'm way behind on birth control. I know the diaphragm uses spermicide rather than anything hormonal. Isn't there a sponge? Don't know whether it's spermicidal or hormonal. Anyway, it seems there are options other than an IUD.

Really, time for a long talk with your doctor to explore all your options. OK?

Please keep us posted!