Not necessarily. Migraine headaches are the type of headaches that cause health care professionals the most concern when it comes to using birth control pills, and even then only if the patient has migraine with "aura"—a type of migraine that causes visual disturbances. Some women find their migraines improve once they start on birth control pills, especially if those migraines precede their menses. But keep in mind that pills users with a history of migraine headache have an increased risk of stroke compared to nonusers with a history of migraine. Your risk is greatest if you have migraines with "aura"—neurologic symptoms related to vision, such as blurred vision, temporary loss of vision or seeing flashing lights or zigzag lines. As a result, the World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded that women with migraines with aura should not take birth control pills. For women over age 35 who get migraines without aura, the risks of oral contraceptive use usually outweigh the benefits. For women under 35, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the World Health Organization state that combined birth control pills may be considered for women with migraines only if they do not experience aura, do not smoke and are otherwise healthy.