Birth Control, Estrogen Levels, and Migraines

[Memoryflaw85]

Didn't know where to post this, so I figured Misc. was appropriate. Anyways, my girlfriend is currently on the nuva ring. It triggers migraines for her. She has always gotten migraines, but the ring causes her to have them more frequently. Her doctor prescribed elavil (which is an anti-depressant) to stop the migraines. The elavil isn't doing anything to prevent the migraines and quite frankly, neither one of us knows why she is on it. We can't find barely anything that says it is an effective migraine preventive. She talked to her about switching birth controls, but doesn't know which one to choose. The doctor refuses to prescribe her a pill because her body reacts horribly if she is an hour off on her dose. And she does forget time to time... Is there a low estrogen birth control that will reduce the rate of migraines she is experiencing and is easy to use? She uses birth control for control of her periods too, so surgically speaking, she can't go in and get the wire contraption (i forget the name of it). Also, does anyone know of a migraine preventive? Any help would be much appreciated, thanks!

[anb1683]

Didn't know where to post this, so I figured Misc. was appropriate. Anyways, my girlfriend is currently on the nuva ring. It triggers migraines for her. She has always gotten migraines, but the ring causes her to have them more frequently. Her doctor prescribed elavil (which is an anti-depressant) to stop the migraines. The elavil isn't doing anything to prevent the migraines and quite frankly, neither one of us knows why she is on it. We can't find barely anything that says it is an effective migraine preventive. She talked to her about switching birth controls, but doesn't know which one to choose. The doctor refuses to prescribe her a pill because her body reacts horribly if she is an hour off on her dose. And she does forget time to time... Is there a low estrogen birth control that will reduce the rate of migraines she is experiencing and is easy to use? She uses birth control for control of her periods too, so surgically speaking, she can't go in and get the wire contraption (i forget the name of it). Also, does anyone know of a migraine preventive? Any help would be much appreciated, thanks!
You could try the shot, I heard that helps with migrains a friend got that to actually treat them, the implant is an IUD.

[limniade]

Everyone reacts differently to hormone-based birth control, that's the thing. If she's getting migraines, she should go back and switch. There's also the birth control patch, an IUD, a diaphragm, low-dose pills and the Depo shot.

Sounds to me like she's gonna have to pick which is more important to her: not having migraines, or controlling her periods.

[Memoryflaw85]

Alright, that's what we figured. She's worried that the shot is going to make her gain weight as I guess a lot of people do when they get it. And isn't the shot a very high dosage of estrogen at once? I dunno, she just has to choose. But thanks for the input!

[Dark_Angel]

I have very high levels of estrogen and my dr. suggested either the IUD w/ no hormone, the patch or ortho tri cyclen lo. I used the pill and that worked the best. The shot was really bad for me I turned into a monster!

[FiT.n.FliRtY]

No SHOT!! Nothing but bad!!

It sounds like these migraines are a real frustration for her, and I know how she feels! I've taken a perscription drug called "Tridural", its for patients with moderate to severe pain (ie: migraine etc..) who require treatment for several days or more that provides 24-hour pain relief. This is something you she can take just once a day as needed.

It has worked really well for me, its something she should ask her doctor about, it will hopefully really help her as well!!


Good Luck ;)

[1MomGetsStrong]

Didn't know where to post this, so I figured Misc. was appropriate. Anyways, my girlfriend is currently on the nuva ring. It triggers migraines for her. She has always gotten migraines, but the ring causes her to have them more frequently. Her doctor prescribed elavil (which is an anti-depressant) to stop the migraines. The elavil isn't doing anything to prevent the migraines and quite frankly, neither one of us knows why she is on it. We can't find barely anything that says it is an effective migraine preventive. She talked to her about switching birth controls, but doesn't know which one to choose. The doctor refuses to prescribe her a pill because her body reacts horribly if she is an hour off on her dose. And she does forget time to time... Is there a low estrogen birth control that will reduce the rate of migraines she is experiencing and is easy to use? She uses birth control for control of her periods too, so surgically speaking, she can't go in and get the wire contraption (i forget the name of it). Also, does anyone know of a migraine preventive? Any help would be much appreciated, thanks!

I have always been a migraine sufferer, sadly, and the only birth control that didn't give me migraines was Micronor! It has low (or no, I can't remember! It's been like five years since I've been on it) levels of estrogen! I had no migraines while on the pill until I got pregnant (at which point, I stopped taking them obviously!). For the record, the birth control wasn't ineffective and didn't cause my pregnancy. My being out of birth control for a week and not using backup method of birth control caused my pregnancy ;) lol

[xxentric]

You could try the shot, I heard that helps with migrains a friend got that to actually treat them, the implant is an IUD.
My cousin was also on the shot and it did not worsen her migraines.

[Botika]

Non hormonal options are the IUD without hormones. Other hormonal options are Mirena (IUD with hormones) or Implanon (implant in your arm).

[ellierose12]

I get migraines (especially around the time of my period) and I also have difficult periods which need to be controlled by some kind of birth control. I've been taking oral contraceptives for this reason since I was 13 or so.

I've only ever been on 2 - Loestrin and Yaz. Loestrin did nothing to help my hormonal migraines, or regulate my period. Yaz is like a wonder drug for both these things.

It's a shame she can't take a pill of some sort. It sounds like she has premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which yaz is currently (to my knowledge) the only birth control which also helps treat this condition.

Maybe it's time for her to just get really strict with her pill taking? My friend used to set an alarm on her phone so she would take it at exactly the same time every day. I hope this helps!

[hellokatie1618]

Everyone I know who has been on the shot or the patch now has 1-2 children.

[hutchinsonwl3]

Didn't know where to post this, so I figured Misc. was appropriate. Anyways, my girlfriend is currently on the nuva ring. It triggers migraines for her. She has always gotten migraines, but the ring causes her to have them more frequently. Her doctor prescribed elavil (which is an anti-depressant) to stop the migraines. The elavil isn't doing anything to prevent the migraines and quite frankly, neither one of us knows why she is on it. We can't find barely anything that says it is an effective migraine preventive. She talked to her about switching birth controls, but doesn't know which one to choose. The doctor refuses to prescribe her a pill because her body reacts horribly if she is an hour off on her dose. And she does forget time to time... Is there a low estrogen birth control that will reduce the rate of migraines she is experiencing and is easy to use? She uses birth control for control of her periods too, so surgically speaking, she can't go in and get the wire contraption (i forget the name of it). Also, does anyone know of a migraine preventive? Any help would be much appreciated, thanks!

As a fellow migraine sufferer I empathize with her. Migraines are difficult because there are SO many causes. First off, she may want to get a second opinion by a doctor who has experience specifically with migraine. She could talk with him/her about progestin only pills, which I have heard help with headache sufferers.

She should also (if not already) start a food/headache log to see if her diet may be the culprit. I know I specifically am triggered by pickled foods, deli meats, moldy cheeses and red wines. Gluten allergies are good to take a look at as well as caffeine withdrawals or dependencies.

Hope this helps some. Some individuals are lifelong sufferers, but getting on the proper preventative meds (and abortives for when a migraine strikes) and with the right doctor will help. I was also on elavil for a while, it takes time to get the dosage right and for it to build up in your system. Again, some things will work for one person and not in another though! Best of luck!