Do you rejoice at the signs that your body is getting ready to say ‘bye-bye’ to your period? and you’re anxious to throw away your birth control? Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security: If you still have your period, you can still get pregnant. When you stop menstruating, you are not officially ‘menopausal’ until 12-18 months later, so you still need to continue contraception during your ‘perimenopausal’ period, which can last 3-5 years. Your doctor can measure your FSH or follicle-stimulating hormone through a blood test to find out if you are in menopause. Do not rely on over the counter test kits as birth control pills can mask these tests!
Using a low-dose birth control pill
Many doctors do not recommend continuing hormonal methods such as the patch, injection, and ring during perimenopause, but often recommend switching to a low-dose birth control pill such as Alesse or a similar one that contains only 20 mcg of estrogen. Using a low-dose birth control pill will, in most cases, keep your menstrual periods regular while still providing protection against pregnancy. Low-dose birth control pills are taken the same way as regular oral contraceptives and you’ll be out of luck if they don’t act to regulate you periods during perimenopause.
Low-dose birth control pills also have health benefits.
Hot flashes and vaginal dryness are common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, but can be reduced with very low-dose birth control pills like Alesse. Osteoporosis and bone loss can also occur at this time and low-dose birth control pills can prevent this in some cases. A more well-known benefit for all women, regardless of age, is protection against ovarian and uterine cancer through the use of low-dose birth control pills.
DO NOT take very low-dose birth control pills during perimenopause if you smoke OR if you have a history of blood clots, breast cancer, or heart disease.
Good news about side effects- Due to the very low dose of estrogen, fewer women will experience side effects and loss of libido, but if you’re unlucky, side effects may include nausea, breast tenderness, higher blood pressure, or headaches.
Barrier-based contraceptive methods (diaphragm, cap, sponge, female condom, male condom, etc.) will be fine BUT keep in mind that as your periods become lighter and less frequent during perimenopause, it will be more difficult for you to accurately track your cycle if you use ‘natural methods’ (fertility awareness) of birth control.
Stay in tune with your body during perimenopause
You may be in your forties or fifties and still have a lot of “sexual miles” left (hey, some claim this is the better part of your sex life!). However, perimenopause and menopause are times of great change in a woman’s body, especially in the hormonal department. Now is the time to pay attention to what her body is telling you and to ‘support’ this transition in the best way. you can stay healthy and of course not get pregnant. It won’t surprise you to read that eating a well-balanced diet, taking a good vitamin supplement, cutting back on coffee and alcohol (just when you feel like it the most!), and getting some exercise is really good for you, but you also need to know how to drive. successfully this last stage of her ‘contraceptive career’.
Finally stop birth control
Your doctor will help you decide when to stop using low-dose birth control and how to manage your menopause. Please take the time to educate yourself and make your own decision about whether or not you should continue to use ANY form of hormones. (HRT) Your body needs support as it is weaning off hormonal birth control and this can be done smoothly and with minimal symptoms. if you follow medical advice.
