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Can seizures be caused by birth control?
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 17:02Now, I know some of you may think this is strange, but here goes:
I'm 21 and have had only 2 seizures in my life. One in April of last year and the other in August. Both were after being on birth control (tri-cyclen lo, to be exact) for 3 months. I stopped taking my birth control after my seizure in April, but I didn't really think anything of it. I wasn't seeing anyone at the time so I just didn't really want it in my system. I started taking my birth control again in June after I met a new guy. After I had the seizure in August (late August) I started to think maybe it was caused by my birth control. The neurologist that was assigned to me said that it was entirely 100% impossible, but my family physician told me there was always a chance.
I have been completely off my birth control since that last seizure and have not been taking any medications either. I feel a lot healthier and I haven't had a single problem since then, but the neurologist still will not listen to my input about why I think this happened.
I sat down with one of my girl friends that also has epilepsy and told her what was going on. She told me that the same thing happened to her when she started taking the pill but that none of the neurologists here believed her. She went to a husband and wife team in Quebec (way far away) and they told her that it was entirely possible that it was her birth control that caused it.
Anyways, has this happened to anyone else?
Comments
Re: Can seizures be caused by birth control?
Submitted by jen09 on Mon, 2009-06-22 - 21:36
I had seizures when I was a child between the ages of 10-12, but then they went away for almost ten years. Then I had 3 more between the ages of 19-25. When I had my first, I wasn't on the IUD, but my body was under a lot of stress since I just had my first baby, wasn't getting enough sleep, and was working long hours. With my other two seizures, I was on the IUD, and had several 1 second seizures. Between the ages of 25-31 wasn't on the IUD and no remember having any seizures of any kind. Now that I'm on the IUD, I'm experiencing the 1 second seirzures during my period. Now after reading your comments, I have come to the conclusion that for me, the IUD is part of my problem. I'm making an appointment this week to have it removed asp! Oh, and it was interesting to read that estrogen causes them too because I've been drinking flaxseed oil and green tea which are loaded with estrogen.
I had seizures when I was a child between the ages of 10-12, but then they went away for almost ten years. Then I had 3 more between the ages of 19-25. When I had my first, I wasn't on the IUD, but my body was under a lot of stress since I just had my first baby, wasn't getting enough sleep, and was working long hours. With my other two seizures, I was on the IUD, and had several 1 second seizures. Between the ages of 25-31 wasn't on the IUD and no remember having any seizures of any kind. Now that I'm on the IUD, I'm experiencing the 1 second seirzures during my period. Now after reading your comments, I have come to the conclusion that for me, the IUD is part of my problem. I'm making an appointment this week to have it removed asp! Oh, and it was interesting to read that estrogen causes them too because I've been drinking flaxseed oil and green tea which are loaded with estrogen.
Re: Can seizures be caused by birth control?
Submitted by Rodzenjr on Fri, 2009-09-11 - 18:03
I have to say...Green tea is not leaded with estrogen.
Does green tea contain estrogens?
No, there is no estrogen in green tea. In fact, there are numerous studies showing that green tea helps lower the levels of estrogen circulating in the blood, and may reduce a person’s risk of developing estrogen-dependent cancers such as breast and uterine cancer.
http://www.greentealibrary.com/Ask%20a%20Question.htm
I personally don't think Flaxseed oil is loaded with estrogen either. So I think you are fine. And there is a study that does say one of the Catechins in green tea can help lower the incidence of seizures (this was an animal study though). But of course it isn't a substitute for meds. It should be used to supplement them though.
Plus, green tea is one of the most potent sources of antioxidants around. It has very wide-ranging health benefits that can hardly be beat.
I would highly recommend you buy the book Green Tea (the Natural Source for a Healthier Life) by Nadine Taylor M.S., R.D. She is a Registered Dietician and is very knowledgeable about alternative healing.
But if you have hormone-related seizures, you might want to get off of birth control pills as fast as possible.
I have to say...Green tea is not leaded with estrogen.
Does green tea contain estrogens?
No, there is no estrogen in green tea. In fact, there are numerous studies showing that green tea helps lower the levels of estrogen circulating in the blood, and may reduce a person’s risk of developing estrogen-dependent cancers such as breast and uterine cancer.
http://www.greentealibrary.com/Ask%20a%20Question.htm
I personally don't think Flaxseed oil is loaded with estrogen either. So I think you are fine. And there is a study that does say one of the Catechins in green tea can help lower the incidence of seizures (this was an animal study though). But of course it isn't a substitute for meds. It should be used to supplement them though.
Plus, green tea is one of the most potent sources of antioxidants around. It has very wide-ranging health benefits that can hardly be beat.
I would highly recommend you buy the book Green Tea (the Natural Source for a Healthier Life) by Nadine Taylor M.S., R.D. She is a Registered Dietician and is very knowledgeable about alternative healing.
But if you have hormone-related seizures, you might want to get off of birth control pills as fast as possible.
Re: Can seizures be caused by birth control?
Submitted by sjchilson on Thu, 2009-06-11 - 16:09
I am 42 years old and had my first seizure. I recently had an IUD inserted and a friend of mine wondered if my seizure could have been caused my IUD. There are many posts about birth control pills and seizures but wondered if anyone had any problems with seizures with the use of an IUD.
Thanks for any feedback
I am 42 years old and had my first seizure. I recently had an IUD inserted and a friend of mine wondered if my seizure could have been caused my IUD. There are many posts about birth control pills and seizures but wondered if anyone had any problems with seizures with the use of an IUD.
Thanks for any feedback