Over the past year and a half I have been getting regular migraine attacks, it took a while to put 2 and 2 together (stiff neck, followed by intense pain in base of skull, vomiting, diarrhea). Just recently I started to get auras (blind spots often brought on by neon lighting). I need to go and consult, I can't spend 2 days a month out of it - I noticed it often happens as I've finished a packs of contraceptive pills before a period starts. So my question is, should I consult my gynecologist, or a neurologist? (my gp just told me to keep medication in my handbag - ibruprofen and primperan for the vomiting). Did anyone see an improvement after changing type of pill or stopping it, or using another method of contraception?
Thanks for your input.
I also get migraines around period time. My GP told me to stop taking contraceptive pill straight away, so did this and didn't take any pill for 6 months, my migraines were still once a month around the same time. I now take the mini pill and dont have periods but my migraines are still there......
I think my GP advised my to come off contraceptive pill so it increases the chance of stroke and if prone to migraines it's more of a risk or something. Perhaps go bk to your GP to disc this.
Menstrual migraines are caused by the drop in oestrogen at this time of the month. The way round this is to either change contraceptive, or take an oestrogen supplement for a few days before the period starts until it finishes. It's the drop in progesterone that triggers the bleeding, so as long as this stays unaffected, periods should remain normal.
There are patches available on prescription from your gp, or you can try herbal remedies such as Black Cohosh Root (mimics oestrogen in the body). These type of migraines are very easy to prevent with the right treatment, but sadly they are often overlooked by the medical profession.
I have so often in the past had to go away and do my own research, then present the evidence to my gp on what I want prescribed, before anything will be done. I'm a medical herbalist tho - so that background certainly helps. Good luck.
Thank you Shay for this information - I suffer as Allice does and am relieved to hear there is something I can do other than coming off contraceptive pill altogether!