Early Menopause & Taking the Pill

Menopause and birth control pills don't seem to make sense together when first thought about. However, there are multiple benefits the pill provides for women going through early menopause.

Features of Early Menopause

Perimenopause usually comes three to five years before menopause finally sets in. During this time, symptoms of menopause may start to appear due to the changing levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones.

Function of Birth Control Pills

According to the Patient Education Institute, doctors suggest birth control pills to control the symptoms of menopause. Birth control pills do this by regulating the hormones produced by the ovaries.

Benefits

Hot flashes and irregular periods are common symptoms of menopause that can be treated with birth control pills. Even though birth control pills can delay the symptoms of menopause, they won't prevent menopause from occurring.

Another Advantage

Birth control pills also prevent pregnancy. This is important because irregular periods during perimenopause do not mean pregnancy is no longer possible.

Consideration

Because birth control pills conceal the onset of menopausal symptoms, a woman on birth control may not be able to tell if she is going through menopause. She can tell if she has reached menopause by stopping the birth control and monitoring her periods.

References

• The Patient Education Institute: Menopause
• National Institute on Aging: Menopause