Hormonal contraception and migraine: clinical considerations.

Migraine is highly prevalent in women, particularly in the reproductive years when contraception may be needed. Preventive strategies are known to be underutilized for migraine. Women of reproductive age may not only benefit from the use of hormonal contraceptives for contraception, but also for the purpose of reducing the burden of menstrual-related migraine. Although migraine is associated with an increased risk of stroke, the use of low-dose hormonal contraceptives in otherwise healthy women does not appear to confer additional risk.