I have taken birth control since I was 16 (irregular periods). Im now 20, and after being diagnosed, my neurologist recommended i stop the birth control. He said it wasnt recommended to take with IIH. I also saw my gyno and he agreed with my neurologist. He basically said that any BC with horomones isnt good for PTC, and my only options are barrier methods.

Ive since been off of them for about 3 months.. I havent noticed any difference in my headaches at all... Im considering starting them up again.

I will only take Merina because it is a Progestrone only birth control. I will not take anything with estrogen as it can cause probs. I do know that they have just come out with another low low estrogen pill but I don't know what it is called. For me though I will only use Merina but I have had blood clotting issues in the past so I won't risk anything else.
You can look back in the archives of the disucssion lists for loads of disucssions on this.
:) Mandy

I've also been told BC pills are a no-no. I have a Mirena IUD and I absolutely love it! Don't know if you're a candidate for it, but if you are I highly recommend it.

Wow! I have Mirena, too!

The Nuva Ring is also a good alternative.

I had side effects from several different BC pills completely unrelated to my PTC (diagnosed last July), so I stopped those over 8 years ago.

But I will put in a plug for the old fashioned diaphragm which is very effective if used properly. My husband and I have been together for 9 years (married for 7), and I got off pills and switched to diaphragm when we were dating. I'm not a fan of any chemicals or medicine in my body after all of the side effects. And I will say that I've never had a pregnancy scare - ever.

I have one son who'll be 3 next month, and we planned him. (We took our dream trip - Mediterranean cruise - and started to try for a family then... I got pregnant on the cruise. Worked like a charm!)

I am so close to beating my PTC (diamox, ONSF surgery, and 45 pounds lost have helped me), that for the last 4 months I only have symptoms - and just headaches at that - during my period. I have 2-3 headaches while on my period due to my hormones, but they are less intense than they used to be. Another few months and my docs think my PTC will be gone.

Just my two cents and plug for something that most people think is outdated. When I first switched at 20 (I'm 29 now) my friends thought I was crazy, but my mom was a nurse and very supportive. Just kept reminding me that I had to use it correctly for it to work. :)

And I will say that while my insurance doesn't cover a diaphragm, it costs about $40, but lasts for 1-2 years. It's about $10 for a tube of contraceptive gel which will last quite a while as well. It's way less expensive than a monthly pill.

I did a PTC study years ago and was told to NEVER take the pill again cause of blood clotting issues. Also I agree with others on here that it's is contraindicated to take them while having PTC symptoms. I use condoms with my hub and have for years. :)

I was just diagnosed with PTC last month, but had stopped taking BC pills a few years ago because I would always get "migraines" from the pills. I tried low estrogen pills, mini pills, pretty much anything under the sun and I continued to get headaches. Now with this new diagnosis I'm wondering if it was really a migraine? When i was diagnosed one of the first questions the neurology team asked me was if I was on a BC pill, and if I was I needed to stop it.
Best of Luck!

Since diagnosed with PTC, I have tried to only take Diamox. If I have a horrible headache or cramps, I may take Advil, but I really try not to take anything else.. This has made me so afraid of what is not known about this and I don't want to mess with it. Grrr....

You don't know how hard I have looked for information about Pseudotumor Cerebri connection with Mirena! I had my Mirena inserted in October 2010 and starting in August of 2011 I started having problems with my vision. Headaches, losing my vision, and seeing floaters are just some of the problems I was having. After a number of test it was confirmed I had PTC. I had found an article in the New England Journal of Medicine about Levonorgestrol and PTC. It suggests side effects start to show up after 266 days after having the implant inserted. After reading that article and taking it the doctors I was seeing at the time, no one wanted to hear what I was saying. I made an appointment and had Mirena removed the very next day without hesitation! I now am doing better, headaches are gone, vision is much better. I am currently taking Diamox 1500 mg to help with my pressures but everything is all coming together now.

I have issues with both IIH and ovarian cysts. As long as I stay away from ortho tri cyclen I haven't had any adverse side effects related to IIH. I currently take Balziva which is an estrogen based BC and have had success with preventing my cysts as well as not effecting my pressure or headaches.

I think as with any condition medication options really depend on the individual and their body chemistry. Its ok to try different medications (with doctor supervision) until you find the right one, its always a game of pros/cons.

i am currently taken Sprintec 28, my gyno said it was ok? BUT now ready this i wonder if it is?

I haven't had my IH change at all since I have started my Merina IUD. I don't have any problems with it and intend to keep it in at this time as I have to alternative BC choices at this time as I cannot use any birth control with estrogen it because of blood clotting problems.
I did have problems with other birth controls though with IH.