No link found between hormonal contraception and brain pressure disorder

There appears to be no association between hormonal contraception and the prevalence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, researchers reported on March 25, 2026 in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

“Health advice for people living with idiopathic intracranial hypertension is inconsistent due to a concern that hormonal contraception, including birth control pills and IUDs, may be associated with a higher risk of the condition in certain individuals,” said study author Arun N. E. Sundaram, MD, FRCPC, of the University of Toronto in Canada. “However, our meta-analysis found no association between hormonal contraception and idiopathic intracranial hypertension prevalence.”

As background, the authors noted that idiopathic intracranial hypertension is the result of increased pressure in the fluid surrounding the brain without an identifiable cause. “It may cause chronic, disabling headaches, vision problems, and in rare cases, permanent vision loss,” they said.

From major research databases the investigators identified eligible studies for their  retrospective meta-analysis. These 13 eligible studies included data on 5,351 female subjects diagnosed with idiopathic intracranial hypertension and 669,260 female subjects without the condition.

The average age of the subjects was 33.3 years.

The studies included women who used birth control pills, IUDs, contraceptive vaginal rings, contraceptive injections like medroxyprogesterone, birth control implants placed under the skin and contraceptive patches.

The investigators reported that there was no association between any mode of  hormonal contraception and the prevalence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

“Our findings can provide reassurance that using hormonal contraception may not be linked to this condition,” said Sundaram. “However, it is important to note that the evidence is limited and large, well-designed studies are needed, particularly in diverse patient groups, to confirm these results.”