A woman on the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) develops recurrent headaches. They are bilateral, pressure-like, without aura or focal neurolog...

Question

A woman on the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) develops recurrent headaches. They are bilateral, pressure-like, without aura or focal neurological signs. Her neurological examination is normal. What is the UKMEC classification and appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Any headache on COCP requires stopping the method

Answer

This is migraine with aura; stop COCP (UKMEC 4)

Answer

This is tension-type headache; COCP can be continued (no UKMEC restriction)

Answer

This is migraine without aura; stop COCP (UKMEC 4)

Answer

This is cluster headache; refer to neurology before any contraception decision

uk-dfsrh MCQ (SBA): Tension Headache on COCP UKMEC

A woman on the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) develops recurrent headaches. They are bilateral, pressure-like, without aura or focal neurological signs. Her neurological examination is normal. What is the UKMEC classification and appropriate action?