Any woman who is or has been on birth control knows that there are some potential risks and side effects of birth control. Generally, those risks are minimal, but many women also report significant, life-threatening side effects, including stroke, blood clot, and pseudotumor cerebri.

One of these reports involves a 26-year-old woman who allegedly suffered a stroke due to her birth control and completely missed the signs. She was overwhelmed by an extreme headache and thought nothing of it until her fiance urged her to go to the doctor.

A CAT scan revealed that she suffered a kind of stroke, where a large clot blocked a network of veins in her brain, and the cause was her birth control pill.

The risk of having a stroke while taking hormonal birth control increases when a woman smokes, which was what happened in this case, but at least this situation had a happy ending.

Doctors removed the woman’s blood clot during an endovascular procedure, and she has recovered.

Birth Control Pills Also Linked to Pseudotumor Cerebri

The risk of stroke and blood clot are not the only negative effects of birth control pills that affect the brain.

Pseudotumor cerebri, also known as intercranial hypertension, is a very rare brain disease, estimated to affect only 3.3 women per 100,000. It occurs when levels of cerebrospinal fluid increase, putting pressure on the brain and optic nerve.

Over 90 percent of people with pseudotumor cerebri develop headaches, including migraines that fail to respond to pain medication. Many also develop vision changes due to pressure on optic nerve which may cause double vision, temporary blurry vision, halos, light-sensitivity, and papilloedema (swollen optic nerve). Over time, raised intracranial pressure can destroy the optical nerve and cause permanent vision loss.

Pseudotumor cerebri means “false brain tumor,” and symptoms mimic those of a growing brain tumor, but no tumor is present.

Unfortunately, recent studies suggest the risk of pseudotumer cerebri may be higher for women on birth control. For example, 56 cases of pseudotumor cerebri were linked to a progestin-releasing implant called Norplant in a study published in 1995.

Additionally, in the last few years, safety concerns have also been raised about the blood clot risk involving a hormone found in oral contraceptives like Yaz birth control and Yasmin. Even vaginal rings (NuvaRing) and contraceptive patches (Ortho Evra) have been linked to higher blood clot risks.

The problem with blood clots is that they can cause secondary intracranial hypertension. This pseudotumor cerebri complication occurs when blood clots in the brain physically impede the flow of cerebrospinal fluid through the cerebral venous sinus, resulting in higher pressure inside the skull.

Because these symptoms are easily confused with a stroke, women on birth control should seek immediate medical attention for any abnormally severe, sudden cranial pressure headaches.

Pseudotumor Cerebri Symptoms

Unfortunately, most types of hormonal birth control increase a woman’s risk of pseudotumor cerebri — some more than others. Pseudtumor cerebri symptoms include:

• Headaches/Migraines
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Blurred Vision, Double Vision, or Vision Loss (blind spots) in one or both eyes
• Tinnitus (a ringing, whooshing, pulsing, or buzzing sound in one or both ears)
• Neck, Shoulder, or Back Pain/Stiffness
• Cognitive Problems (forgetfulness)
• Depression
• Motor Neurological Problems (difficulty walking)

Pseudotumor Cerebri Lawsuits

Pseudotumor cerebri lawsuits claim that birth control pill and IUD manufacturers did not make these life-threatening risks known to the public. If you or a loved one has developed pseudotumor cerebri or a “false brain tumor” following birth control use, you may be able to obtain compensation for your pain and suffering by filing a birth control lawsuit.