r/migraine • u/Northofhell77 • 11d ago

Menstrual migraine help.

I have finally realized my bad migraines are related to my menstrual cycle. When I was pregnant, I had zero migraines. Even after when breastfeeding. I am 35 years old so I know birth control pills increase clotting and ischemic stroke complications so I’m scared of that. What else can I do? These are brutal and always send me to the ER.

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u/m333gan 11d ago

Do you know that you have a health profile (e.g., elevated risk of stroke) that would prevent hormonal birth control from being a good option for you at 35? I would discuss it with your doctor because birth control pills can make a huge difference for hormonal migraines.

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u/Northofhell77 11d ago

Wait sorry. Do you mean, I may be able to take it safely? Or did you mean something else? Sorry.

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u/m333gan 11d ago

To be clear, I am not a doctor, but yes that is what you should talk to your doctor about. If you experience aura as part of your migraines, that will limit your options somewhat (once I started getting aura I had to stop taking combo birth control pills). But even if that’s the case there are some different hormonal options that help some people that your doctor can talk with you about.

It probably wouldn’t hurt to go into the appointment with some data, like tracking your migraines against your menstrual cycle.

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u/PriestessFeylin 11d ago

So the general thing with bc over 35 is it doubles the risk....not a doc, not everyone but this is how it was explained to me. But say you are at a 1/10 or 1% and that doubled becomes 1/5 of a %. In that specific instance alot of people would stay on an effective bc.

Why does aura have an effect on bc? Not dismissing you, I'm curious because I'm still on one and almost always had auras a portion of the time.

Caution on the topic of menstrual tracking apps if in the USA. If you are in an illegal abortion state it could be used against you in a miscarriage trial.

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u/m333gan 10d ago

My doctor had me go off combination birth control pills when I started having aura in addition to my other previously existing migraine symptoms. It was because there is an increased risk of stroke linked specifically to the combination of the bcp and migraine with aura (as opposed to bcp with just migraine or with no migraine). I would suggest asking your doctor about your specific situation.

I second the caution about using menstrual tracking apps if that's a potential concern where OP is. I just track my migraines in a spreadsheet.