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Can seizures be caused by birth control?

Fri, 02/22/2008 - 17:02

Now, 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 Angie954 on Mon, 2010-04-26 - 12:50

I'm 19 and started taking BC (Ortho Evra Patch) when I was about 16 and used it for about a year. I had 6 seizures while using the patch. My first thought was epilepsy so i went to a DR. who scanned me and told me, "There is nothing wrong with you". He never thought it was my BC or recommended i stopped taking it. My last episode I decided to stop using the patch and havent had a seizure since so it definitetly was the problem. I'm just curious about my other options for BC. Why did this happen? What triggered it? How can i be safe from pregnancy and the humiliation? please help!

I'm 19 and started taking BC (Ortho Evra Patch) when I was about 16 and used it for about a year. I had 6 seizures while using the patch. My first thought was epilepsy so i went to a DR. who scanned me and told me, "There is nothing wrong with you". He never thought it was my BC or recommended i stopped taking it. My last episode I decided to stop using the patch and havent had a seizure since so it definitetly was the problem. I'm just curious about my other options for BC. Why did this happen? What triggered it? How can i be safe from pregnancy and the humiliation? please help!

Re: Can seizures be caused by birth control?

Submitted by rfine5150 on Fri, 2010-09-17 - 01:59
The same thing happened to me!! I started the pill in march of 07 and in July I had my first gramal seizure and have had several since, once in february of 08 I almost died. My whole family thought it was the birth control but all the doctors said it could be and it wasn't a known side affect.. obviously it is if this many girl have this issue.

Re: Can seizures be caused by birth control?

Submitted by katvdw on Sat, 2010-11-06 - 00:35

Is there anyone out there who has had their hormone levels tested after coming OFF the pill? Also, any of the women who have had epilepsy flare up after coming off the pill, tried hormone creams? or treatments? Has there been any success???

Searching deseprately for relief and answers. Seems my symptoms are getting worse by the day.

Is there anyone out there who has had their hormone levels tested after coming OFF the pill? Also, any of the women who have had epilepsy flare up after coming off the pill, tried hormone creams? or treatments? Has there been any success???

Searching deseprately for relief and answers. Seems my symptoms are getting worse by the day.

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