Has anyone developed migraines on the mini pill and then been refused the combination pill by their GP? (UK)

[EliseR]

Hi everyone,

I’m wondering if anyone in the UK has been in a similar situation and could share what happened and what they did next.

I didn’t suffer from migraines before taking the progesterone-only mini pill, but I started experiencing them while taking it. I had one episode where my vision went blurry, too.

I decided to take myself off of the mini pill to test to see if this is why I was getting the migraines, and lo and behold they completely went. I then ordered a combination pill called Yasmin and have been on it for 3 months, it has worked wonders for me. I have gone from having really heavy 2 week periods, to normal periods, 5 days long and no side effects at all.

I’ve now asked my GP about going on Yasmin, a combined pill, but they’ve refused because of my migraine history.

I understand that the GP has to follow prescribing guidance, and I’m not looking for anyone to tell me to ignore medical advice. I’m just struggling with the fact that I developed these symptoms while taking the mini pill and now feel like my contraceptive options are limited.

I’m particularly hoping to hear from women in the UK who:

didn’t have migraines before starting the mini pill

developed migraines whilst taking it

were subsequently refused the combined pill

found a way forward with their GP, a sexual health clinic or another specialist.

Did you get referred for a review? Were you offered any other options? Did you manage to get your situation assessed differently?

I’m really sorry for the long message but I’m desperate for some help or advice. I’d really appreciate hearing about your actual experiences, particularly what happened after the initial refusal. Thank you! ❤️

elise xx

There is a VERY good reason no prescriber in the country will give you the combined pill with your migraine history. The risk of stroke is just far far far too high. Any that did runs the risk of being struck off and rightly so.

Fwiw, I also get migraines on the combined pill and have horrendous periods. I get on really well with sayana press which is like depo but you can do it at home. Each jab lasts 13 weeks and they give you one in clinic and three to take home so you only have to be seen once a year. Stops my periods completely apart from the odd one which I suspect would have been a particularly nasty one if it wasn't for the jab

Thank you for replying❤️, yes I do completely agree and understand the reasons as to why they are concerned about it. I am very lucky because my doctor is so good and will sit and have an in-depth conversation with me and explain everything in simple enough terms. It’s just that I didn’t ever suffer with migraines before starting the mini pill and only ever experienced them when on it.

I am honestly terrified of going on anything else that is progesterone only because of how I was when I was on a progesterone only. I have thought about the depo, but I’m also terrified of having heavy periods still and getting migraines. I have honestly shed so many tears over it. Do you still suffer with migraines on the depo?

I was told that I couldn't go on the pill because of the type of migraines that I had (at the time; I'm now on the third type of them), as I would be more likely to have a stroke. A more recent doctor said that only applied to the oestrogen ones, and that I would only be permitted to have progesterone ones.

Yeah, from what I have learned through going back and fourth for probably about 3 years now is that as soon as you have an “aura” migraine that’s when you fall into category 4 in the table of absolute no no for combined pill. So I’m also in the boat of only being able to have progesterone only medication, but I believe that is what causes my migraines so I am just a bit nervous as to going on anything else progesterone only because I don’t want the migraines, I don’t want to put on the weight and my skin is finally so much better after it being so bad for so long.

The fact that you only started getting migraines on the combined pill IS the big fat red flag, it's genuinely not an option for you.

I haven't had any serious side effects from depo it's honestly been a life changer. My skin is fine, in fact I think it's slightly better without all of the hormones dropping and rising all the time. I put on a few pounds but nothing significant and honestly 1000% worth to not be in excruciating pain every few weeks or anemic due to blood loss.

I would say try the mini pill first, (and perhaps try a few, I liked cerelle but not cerazette) because if you really hate it you can stop it whenever you want but with depo you're stuck with it for the three months. Everyone is different but depo suited me, and sayana press which is subcutaneous (so hurts less and can be done at home so is more convenient) suits me even more. It's probably one of my favourite inventions of the last 100 years including indoor plumbing and electric kettles

Did you even read the OP??
OP got migraines with the mini pill and no migraines on the combined pill

I went to transexemic acid for heavy periods. Barrier methods for birth control.

I only started to get migraines when I started the mini pill, which they only put me on because a dr at my previous surgery had advised me that as long as I had 2 periods a year I could take the combined pill continuously. So I followed their advice and started the mini pill (to me it sounded like a dream just being able to take something basically all the time and have no periods😂), unfortunately that is when the migraines started, I would be in bed for about 5 days just mostly asleep. Now I am left in a position where I can’t even have the combined pill which works so well for me because I’ve had some weird migraine side effect from the mini pill.

I will probably have a deeper look into the injection as another option rather than having to spend £30 every 3 months on the pill that works. I guess it’s all just trial and error x

Omg tranexamic acid is an absolute LIFE SAVIOUR, I was prescribed that a few months ago because I had a continuous bleed for like 4 months before putting myself on the Yasmin and wowwwwww it was so good 😂

Have you considered a Mirena coil? The progesterone dose is much lower so you shouldn’t get the systemic side effects. I’ve not had a period for about 2 years now- can definitely recommend it!
Edited to add- I do get migraine with aura but not noticeably worse since having the coil.

They have offered this to me, many times but I am such a scaredy cat I don’t know if I could do it and then I’m like what if it doesn’t work and I have to try and pull myself together to get it removed 😂

OP I just found your post whilst googling my own side effects from Mini Pill. Can you see a different GP and explain that the migraine was due to the pill? (Did you get aura? Zig zag affecting vision).
I started the mini pill due to hormonal migraine with aura and they have so far been kept at bay. But I’ve been bleeding lightly for 10 days now.. I think I’ll take the lack of migraine though. (And no period pain or awful mood drops/brain fog!!!)
I hope you can get back onto your pill that worked asap x