Posted by Annemarie (212.238.33.13) on May 22, 2000 at 11:32:16:
In Reply to: I was told there is a link posted by Karla on May 22, 2000 at 10:52:22:
Karla, and everyone out there, there is a link, but we're talking very different substances here.
The classic BCpill has a combination of estrogens and progestogens (both hormones).
Most doctors here see a link between estrogens and migraine headaches. Natural estrogen levels vary a lot during the cycle and may show great peaks and vales for every individual woman. The BC pill does tend to egalize those peaks. Some women are happy to use BCpills to suppress migraines, for others it won't work.
A number of women stop getting migraines when they're pregnant (when their natural estrogen level is very, very high).
The bc shot, depo provera, does not contain estrogens, but progestagene hormones. That one doctor is right, if it does not work you're stuck with it for 3 months. There would be a reduction of bleeding and however good this sounds, many women have found that they do not like that at all when it really happens. ALSO: it sometimes inhibits the return of fertility.
If your doctor thinks a progestagen treatment would be useful, there is a bc pill containing progestagen only (not in combination with estrogens). It is called the mini-pill and I think the brand name is Mercilon, but then, I don't know whether it will be available in your country.
Hope this has clarified things a little, Anemarie