Journal: Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety
Authors: Liza R Gibbs, Matthew P Fox, Hugo J Aparicio, Susan Jick
NLM Citation: Gibbs LR, Fox MP, Aparicio HJ, Jick S. Utilization of Oral Contraceptives and Hormone Therapy for Menopause Among Female Individuals With Migraine With Aura: A Descriptive Study. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2025 Nov;34(11):e70266. doi: 10.1002/pds.70266. PMID: 41236401.
Abstract
Purpose: Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are contraindicated in migraine with aura due to stroke risk, and some hormone therapy for menopause guidelines recommend caution in this population. However, this guidance is informed by sparse or older evidence reflective of higher doses than typically prescribed today. This study aimed to describe modern-day utilization of COCs and hormone therapy among female individuals with migraine with aura from 2000 to 2024.
Methods: Using United Kingdom medical record data, this study evaluated the use of COCs and progestogen-only pills (POPs) among reproductive-age individuals and hormone therapy among post-reproductive age individuals, before and after migraine with aura diagnosis. Post-diagnosis medication utilization was described relative to baseline characteristics and pre-diagnosis use of each medication, overall and longitudinally.
Results: Among 142 867 individuals of reproductive age, 84 374 (59%) used oral contraceptives on or after migraine with aura diagnosis, predominantly POPs (n = 75 823, 53% of those with any oral contraceptive) over COCs (n = 21 968, 15%). Most oral contraceptive users in the year pre-diagnosis used COCs (n = 36 909/56760, 66%). Among 46 913 individuals of post-reproductive age, 20 990 (45%) had a prescription for hormone therapy after migraine with aura diagnosis, with transdermal formulations used increasingly over calendar time.
Conclusions: Utilization of COCs declined but did not fully cease after migraine with aura diagnosis. Post-diagnosis utilization of hormone therapy for menopause was common. Given this utilization among individuals with migraine with aura, high-quality evidence quantifying the risk of stroke associated with modern-day use of these medications in this population is needed to inform patient and provider decision making.
Keywords: hormonal contraceptives; hormone replacement therapy; hormone therapy for menopause; migraine with aura; oral contraceptives; stroke; women’s health.
