Saturday, August 23, 2008 Instinct asks

Q: Can birth control cause high blood pressure?

I have recently noticed, immediately after my menstrual cycle my blood pressure is VERY high. It seems on the last day of the cycle during the night I wake up with a throbbing headache on one side of my head and eye and it will last 3days varying in pressure or irritation. For some reason I want to blame it on my new pills of which I'm not sure if it's the same kind I've been takin most of my life.

I have not been diagnosed to have high blood pressure and it only occurs after my menstural cycle. Yet it does run in the family.

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Answers (2)

Lisa Nelson, Health Pro

8/23/08 4:50pm

Hi Instinct,

I recommend you discuss your symptoms with your MD. Birth control pills may increase blood pressure, although it tends to be rare side effect. The risk of high blood pressure increases with age (>35 yo) and how long you've been on the pill.

Be sure to consult your MD and monitor your blood pressure. It may be best to try a new form of contraception.

All the best,

Lisa Nelson, RD, LN

Heart Health and Weight Loss Tips

Instinct

6/24/09 9:49pm

Thank you for your response and to answer your question...

I have been on birth control since I was 15yrs old and I am getting close to 35yrs of age. I did stop taking it for a three year period of time but most of my life has been on the pill. I am ashamed to say I don't know if it has been the same prescription with every different OBGYN I have had. I recently went to the Dr and he didn't show concern...

Would you suggest a certain contraception?

Again thank you :)

Lisa Nelson, Health Pro

6/25/09 12:17pm

Hi Instinct,

There are several birth control options - IUD, Depo Provera, Norplant, etc. - but each comes with its own pros and cons. I recommend a little research, consult your physician, and weigh the pros and cons.

All the best,

Lisa Nelson RD

http://www.lisanelsonrd.com

Neil MD, Health Pro

8/24/08 2:18pm

Hello Instinct,

Yes, birth control pills have a listed side effect of high blood pressure. You should definitely discuss with your doctor (eitheryour OB/GYN or the Dr. that perscribes you pills) the symptoms you are experience.

I am not, though, convinced what you are experiencing is due to high blood pressure. Have you taken BP readings with a cuff, or are you assuming that you sided throbbing headaches are caused high blood pressure. There are a number of different conditions that could be causing your symptoms! One they might one to consider is something called menstrual migrane, which is caused by fluctuating hormone levels associated with menstruation. The symptoms of this condition are similar to what it seems your are describing.

Like I said, absolutely make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your headaches and your birth control medications!

To your health,

Neil MD

Instinct

6/24/09 9:31pm

To answer your question

Only because of my mothers suggestion... When the headaches initially started, I did go to my nearest Pharmacy and get pressure readings from the free booths. And continued to get readings throughout the day everyday until my pressure went back to normal... which was just three days. The readings were high in my dad's opinion and he has high blood pressure. I just recently told my Dr. and he wasn't concerned... I only see him once a year.

I have stopped taking the readings and your right since then just assume every headache is cause I have spontaneous but regular high blood pressure.

Thank you for taking the time to comment.

JAzzy

4/ 7/10 9:53am

I too notice blood pressure changes during the middle of my cycle it will go very high then a day or two later return to the normal readings I get which is around 120/85 I was on blood pressure pills and am not sure what triggers it at that particular time but I take a few of them during that time frame so it doe s not go to the extreme high bc once when i did not take them it went as high as 162/116 that scared me so on the phone with my dr i got and I am currently back on the dosage until things return to normal for me. I however am not on any birth control I had my tubes tied a few months ago so I wonder if that plays a role in this also..

Q: Can birth control cause high blood pressure?

Like I said, absolutely make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your headaches and your birth control medications!

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