Headaches are widely viewed as a common side effect of birth control pills. But is the pill itself to blame for your headache?

Fluctuations in hormone levels caused by the menstrual cycle can sometimes trigger headaches.

Some people may find that birth control pills reduce how painful these headaches are and how often they occur. This is because the pills can even out their estrogen levels.

Others may find that the drop in estrogen that accompanies menstrual bleeding can cause or worsen their headaches.

If you regularly experience headaches or migraine, you may find that taking birth control pills containing estrogen causes or worsens your symptoms, as it causes a drop in estrogen levels.

However, birth control pills aren’t strictly to blame. Whether you’re taking birth control pills or not, the reduction in estrogen that accompanies menstrual bleeding may put your body into a kind of hormonal withdrawal.

Both combination birth control pills and progestin-only pills may cause headaches as a side effect. Additional side effects of birth control pills may include:

  • breast tenderness
  • nausea
  • high blood pressure
  • irregular menstrual bleeding or spotting between periods
  • weight gain or loss
  • acne
  • fatigue
  • depression
  • changes in libido

Birth control pills may also trigger symptoms in people with asthma.

Birth control pills aren’t recommended for people 35 years or older who smoke, or for people who have high blood pressure or certain blood-clotting disorders.

If you are taking birth control pills, you should talk with your doctor about any potential risks if you:

  • are breast-feeding
  • have a history of breast cancer
  • have a history of diabetes-related complications
  • take certain anticonvulsants medications
  • take certain antituberculosis medications
  • take certain medications for HIV
  • take certain medications for AIDS
  • take St. John’s wort
  • have a history of migraine with aura

Taking birth control pills for 5 years on longer may increase the risk of cervical cancer. More research is needed to clarify the role of birth control pills in developing cervical cancer.

Birth control pills don’t protect against sexually transmitted infections, so you should use a barrier method during sexual activity.

Treatments that may help reduce headaches once they occur include:

  • OTC painkillers, such as naproxen or ibuprofen
  • prescription pain relievers
  • ice packs applied to your head or neck
  • biofeedback

If you regularly experience headaches and it is affecting your day-to-day life, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. They can put together a treatment plan to alleviate symptoms.

Taking your birth control pill at the same time every day may help reduce side effects. This is because your hormone levels remain steady. If you take a pill early one morning and then take one again in the afternoon the next day, it creates a gap between doses. This can cause a shift in your hormone levels and may prompt a headache. It can also lower effectiveness and increase your risk of pregnancy.

Taking over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription pain relievers before menstruation begins may also help prevent symptoms before they occur.

You should talk with a doctor about the ways you can adjust your medication if your birth control pills seem to be causing your headaches. Together, you can work to prevent or reduce this hormone-related side effect.

This may be possible by:

  • switching to a low- or lower-dose birth control pill, which contains less estrogen and minimizes the drop in hormones on break or placebo days
  • switching to a continuous dose birth control pill, which reduces or eliminates break or placebo days
  • reducing the number of break or placebo days in your regimen
  • switching from combination to progestin-only pills, which don’t contain estrogen
  • increasing supplementation of estrogen on break or placebo days by wearing an estrogen patch

No two people respond the same way to birth control pills. Finding the right birth control method for you may require some trial and error. Consider talking with a doctor about the pros and cons of each option to determine what methods will work best for both your body and your lifestyle.

Birth control pills are generally safe, effective, and well-tolerated. People who don’t smoke should be able to take birth control pills until menopause or until they no longer need them.

Negative side effects caused by taking birth control pills, including a headache, generally lessen or go away in a few months. Positive side effects may include relief from common menstrual symptoms such as cramps or heavy bleeding, improved skin, and a lower risk of certain cancers.