Estrogen and Migraine Controversy

Episode 128: Have you been told you cannot be prescribed estrogen or estrogen-containing birth control pills because you have migraine with aura? This week's episode is on the Estrogen and Migraine Controversy. Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, questions Susan Hutchinson, MD, Headache Specialist and author of The Woman's Guide to Managing Migraine all about estrogen, migraine, aura, stroke risk, birth control, perimenopause, HRT, bioidenticals, etc. Tune in!
Follow the National Headache Foundation's podcast HeadWise, as host Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, has informative discussions with headache experts on the latest treatment, research, lifestyle recommendations, and personal stories about living with migraine disease and headache disorders. HeadWise can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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[@sophiaharrison1091]

My gynecologist many years ago told me that the studies about the dangers of hormone replacement therapy (or estrogen) were skewed. Also, if you take a consistent, daily dose of estrogen, you are unlikely to get a migraine. It's the break/drop in estrogen when you stop taking it for a few days that will cause a migraine, I have had regular migraines (not aura) since my teens am in my 70's and have been on HRT for 25 years. Also, since Aimovig came out, my rebound headaches stopped, I rarely get migraines any more.

[@ms.ironssharpens9742]

Thanks for the explanation of simple aura vs. more complex

[@jjp007]

This was so very helpful !!!, I just started HRT and was concerned as I used to get migraine w aura. Now I know it’s a simple migraine w aura as the visual last a short time and then headache is more like a tension headache but doesn’t debilitate my day totally. I have no stroke like effects either so I feel more safe taking the dotti patch w progesterone. Thank you again.

[@alexao6319]

Finally, an intelligent discussion on this... Thank you. I have endometriosis and I've seen multiple doctors from Group Health and the only solution they offered was to go on hormonal birth control. I submitted a request for the estrogen based contraception and the doctor said she would only prescribe me it if I had never experienced migraines with aura. I lied and told her I had never experienced them (which I had many years ago). She prescribed the BC but told me to stop taking them if I get migraines. After day 3 or 4 I began getting ocular/aura migraines every few days. I'm not willing to stop taking the estrogen since having endo literally makes me feel like I'm going into labor for 3-4 days every month. This video has been more informative than any doctor I've seen with Group Death and now I know that I can start looking into Bioidentical Hormone Therapy to avoid a possible reaction to synthetic estrogen. Not saying that's the cure for me, but It's nice to know another possible solution to start researching.

[@daisychain914]

Did you ever consider the progesterone only pill instead?

[@HazelwithaZ]

I know it's extreme, but I got an ablation for my endo. Best decision I ever made for my health. Thought I'd comment just in case it helps. ❤

[@HazelwithaZ]

THANK YOU!! I have been looking everywhere for this info! I'm 40, had migraine with (simple) aura since I was 19 and started the pill, and don't know who to trust. This is great start! ❤

[@user-vu9gd8ed1h]

Every woman’s body is different. I was on birth control (combo pill with estrogen) for 6 years. I had to get off of it for different reasons, one reason was that it was causing me to have horrible migraines. I never had migraines prior to getting on birth control and I didn’t have migraines initially when I started the birth control, but the last two years I was on it I had terrible migraines caused by the birth control and after being off of it for several years, I now have menstrual migraines and I’m sensitive to migraines overall.

[@jazzygena]

I just started taking the lowest dose of estrogen last week and have had a headache all week😢. I’ve never get headaches and it’s getting too much to bear. I’m on day 6 and I’ve removed the patch. What’s aura?

[@kl3625]

Were you ever able to get back on it? I have the same problem.

[@hatcheck100]

Exactly . I have no idea what they are talking* about here in Uk

[@Tad-For-Global-Peace]

Ty

[@lindseysarnecki2291]

So if I’m 41 and on the patch I’m a 2xs greater risk for stroke? Is that what I’m hearing them say? I had a hysterectomy about a year ago and my estradiol levels have gone from 150-200 to 50 😢 I feel awful.. should I stop using my patch?

[@ms.ironssharpens9742]

This is news to me. Thanks for this episode.

[@ms.c76]

Is the same with vaginal estrogen cream like Premarin?

[@ms.ironssharpens9742]

What if you are over 45? What do you mean by simple aura?

[@dianacolvin4472]

Aura is where you have visual impairments during your migraine episode such as blind spots, flashes of light, or kaleidoscope/ pixelated vision.

[@berniemckinley4988]

The aura is less than an hour long and has no loss if feeling or tingling in arm or stroke like symptoms

[@hazelold2882]

Are migraines with aura more from an increase or decrease in estrogen?

[@berniemckinley4988]

Drop normally due to periods especially around perimenopause

[@hazelold2882]

@@berniemckinley4988 I’m not having periods normally (since a surgical menopause) and am on hrt. I do wonder if I’m not on enough estrogen or if my body is still pumping out the hormones every now and again - I’ve had a couple of very light periods (nothing to worry about as I’ve had tests).

[@alexao6319]

In this video they talk about both, so it can be from any fluctuation of hormones. I myself don't experience ocular/aura migraines until I use the active 21 day estrogen based oral contraception.