Hormonal migraines worsened by birth control?

I started getting migraines 2 years ago almost every time I got on my period. They were miserable and excruciating but no where near as bad or as frequent as when I got started on birth control in August 2013. I was put on it as a contraceptive but soon after the headaches got much worse and happened several times a month. I'm on it full time so I don't have periods at all (my mood swings got horrible and led to extreme behaviors and that stabilized better when I didn't have any periods).

I don't know what I should do. I don't want to get knocked up before I'm married and I also don't want my emotions to get out of control... plus I hate having periods because of the pain and the yuckiness.

I am prescribed rizatriptan for the onset of migraines but I try to zap it before hand with ibuprofen. I'm afraid that I'm getting rebound headaches from using pain killers too much though. If I get a bad tension headache, which are also frequent for me, I use my mom's prescription for her tension headaches which knocks me out and usually numbs it away.

So what I'm asking is, is what should I do about the birth control? I have an appt. with my gyn but it's still a month away. My psychiatrist says that the birth control I'm on also reduces the effectiveness of my psych meds by up to 50%. Are there other options that will help me?

Also, what are some home or school treatments that could help? I usually get migraines behind one eye and it gets tender to the touch and extends up that side of the head. Tension headaches I get my forehead and whole head and my neck feels sooo tight.

One more question, could sensitivity to light CAUSE the migraines or are the migraines causing the sensitivity to light? Everytime I walk outside, even on a cloudy day, I feel a piercing through my head and same when I'm in school taking notes from a powerpoint.

They're so miserable, I don't know what to do.

I don't know the answer to those questions. Just know you are not alone. I am almost 40 and I have exactly the same kind of headache you are talking about. It drives me crazy. It is right behind my eye like someone is stabbing me with a dull knife. And the Light, OMG, I feel like a vampire..... please no sun.

I don't take any birth control. Artificial hormones do a real number on my system. I am curious to hear what others are saying about this issue. Good luck.

I'm on birth control too, but, just like you, I've had an ongoing headache since long before I started on it. I know my sister had to get off of it because of the headaches and she just made her husband use a condom.
When my gyn was talking to me about the different options, gosh, she must have listed 30 different options! But, I'm on it for endometriosis, so the top ones she suggested to me might not be what's best for you...but just know that the pill is not the only thing that's out there. There are pah-lenty of options to choose from.
And as for taking notes from powerpoints and stuff, maybe the teacher would be willing to print out the slides for you so that you don't have to look at that migraine-maker-moster.
Migraines are just a total kill-joy in life. And so are periods! Those two things combined...yuck!
I wish you luck in finding your best fit, dear. Don't think that the pill is your only option.

Update: I went to an eye-doctor a few days ago, concerned about the migraines and sensitivity to light, and they dilated my eyes. It turns out I have these stains on my cornea that deplete the layer and make me very prone to light sensitivity and thus migraines. So now I have to take eye-drops 3-4 times a day but they're still hurting a lot. Still getting headaches too. But I also went to a chiropractor and I'm starting therapy for my neck which contributes to my headaches as well. They're so miserable I am desperate for this treatment because all the home things aren't working, and even my prescription medications aren't very effective.

Thank y'all for the support and advice! I'll keep it updated.

The chiropractor will be such a help to you. They can do amazing things for headaches. I am glad you have found a few more possibilities for things that might help. Good luck.

The neurologist and OB/GYN indicated the BC pills with higher amounts of progesterone, then the greater the chance that those with menstral migraines will be affected with worsening migraines. Finding a lower progesterone based pill can make a big difference. Talk to your doctor about this.

The pills may decrease the effectiveness of psych meds but the dose of the psych meds just needs to be adjusted to accommodate for this. Also lower progesterone pills have less affect on psych meds but still can be adjusted accordingly.

I don't know what meds you are on, but one in a particular can cause the light and cornea issue you describe: Effexor. I had to go off of it for those reasons and cleared up as soon as went off of it. It is rare reported side effect. It did not change the migraines though but did improve vision and my sensitivity to light even when I did not have the migraines.

In addition to going with a lower progesterone pill, low dose Topamax was added daily and is increased a couple days before the period, during, and until a day or two after to prevent the menstral and other migraines. It has been a real lifesaver.

In knowing the pain, I do hope you find answers and some relief soon. It is good you are keeping in touch with your docs to get the help you need; let them know what is going on. Best wishes.

I have non-hormonal migraines and the Feverfew herb helps reduce both the frequency and severity of my migraine attacks.

Botox works for migraines, if it's something you agree with.

I suffer greatly and was prescribed Imitrex....It did work, but not completely (I tried different dosages) plus it made me very sleepy.

So my doc referred me to a pain management specialist (have to...insurance) and I am now pain free.

The thing with migraines (and any pain I suppose) is that you don't realize how much pain you are in until it's gone.

Just a thought for my fellow sufferers...

Wow! I have government insurance, but when I get a job with a private insurance that would pay for pain management, I will definitely try it.

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Thank you all! I've been going to the chiro for a week now, almost every day and I haven't had a migraine since I've gone. I've had little headaches and definitely still the light/eye problem though. But it's such a stress reliever because I go right after school and it helps me practice my mindfulness. Woo!

Also, I switched from effexor to cymbalta several months ago, would cymbalta still cause such symptoms?