The hormones in some birth control medications can cause migraines in some women. Most are triggered when estrogen levels drop while taking the placebo pills in a 28-day pack.
Continuous Pill
To combat the drop in estrogen during the last week of a pack, skip the sugar pills and move on to the next pack. Your doctor can advise which brand of The Pill to take continuously and how long you should go between periods.
Estrogen Pills
Some birth control pills, such as Mircette, include a low-dose estrogen pill instead of the placebo pills in the final week of a 28-day pack. For some women, this keeps estrogen levels even enough to prevent migraines.
Estrogen Patches
A low dose estrogen patch also can be used while taking the placebo pills. Often administering estrogen through the skin will reduce the odds that the estrogen itself will trigger a headache.
Shots and Implants
Although convenient, it is best to stay away from birth control shots or implants. If you are sensitive to the hormones in these methods, then you must ride out the end of the dose (usually three months or longer) and suffer the headaches.
Old Stand-bys
No, they aren't always the most romantic, but spermicides and condoms will get the job done without any hormonal or doctor's involvement. As long as it contains no hormones, your doctor also can place an intrauterine device (IUD) to prevent pregnancy.
Tags: placebo pills, 28-day pack, birth control, estrogen levels, some women