Migraine, Hormones & Birth Control: Making Sense of the Connection

Can birth control trigger migraines or make hormonal migraines worse? The answer may have less to do with simply having “too much estrogen” and more to do with how your hormones rise, fall, and change over time.

In this episode of Migraine Heroes Podcast, host Diane Ducarme explores the connection between migraine, hormones, birth control, and the menstrual cycle, including why migraine attacks may appear around menstruation or during the hormone-free days of contraception.

You’ll learn:

💡 Why hormonal fluctuations and estrogen withdrawal may contribute to menstrual migraine

💡 Why migraine with aura matters when choosing hormonal birth control

💡 What to do if your migraines begin or noticeably change after starting contraception

You’ll also learn how different forms of birth control can create very different hormonal patterns and why understanding your individual migraine response matters.

If you think your migraines may be linked to your hormones or birth control, this episode will help you know what to track and what to discuss with your doctor.

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References:

• Menstrual Migraine Is Caused by Estrogen Withdrawal: Revisiting the Evidence (Raffaelli et al., 2023): This review reassesses the evidence linking estrogen withdrawal to menstrual migraine. Read more here.
• Hormonal Contraceptives and Migraine Frequency and Severity in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Alju et al., 2026): This review examines how hormonal contraceptives may affect migraine frequency and severity. Read more here.
• Use of Combined Hormonal Contraceptives Among Women With Migraines and Risk of Ischemic Stroke (Champaloux et al., 2017): This study examines stroke risk according to migraine type and combined hormonal contraceptive use. Read more here.
• Safety of Hormonal Contraceptives Among Women With Migraine: A Systematic Review (Tepper et al., 2016): This review evaluates vascular risks of hormonal contraception in women with migraine. Read more here.
• Hormonal Contraceptives and Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Women With Migraine (Sacco et al., 2017): This consensus statement provides guidance on contraception and stroke risk in women with migraine. Read more here.
• Effectiveness of the Progestin-Only Pill for Migraine Treatment in Women (Warhurst et al., 2018): This review evaluates progestin-only contraception as a potential migraine treatment. Read more here
• U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2024 (CDC, 2024): These guidelines classify contraceptive safety for different medical conditions, including migraine with and without aura. Read more here.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for health-related concerns.