Question about menopause and taking the pill

[sandra_nz]

OK, this is probably a really really dumb question, but something I’ve been wondering lately. I’m 34, for what it’s worth.

If you are taking the contraceptive pill, then how do you know when menopause is beginning? Is it something your doctor talks to you about when you’re getting closer to the age-range of menopause? Does taking the pill affect the onset or symptoms of menopause in any way?

[WhyNot]

@http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/birth-control-pill/WO00098

Do birth control pills prevent or delay menopause?

A woman still goes through menopause even if she is taking birth control pills. But she may not know it.

Menopause occurs naturally when your ovaries stop making estrogen and progesterone. Eventually your menstrual periods stop, and you can no longer become pregnant. Signs and symptoms of decreased production of estrogen and progesterone include hot flashes, sleep disturbances and vaginal dryness.

A menopausal woman taking birth control pills continues to get enough estrogen and progestin from the pills and will not realize her ovaries are no longer making these hormones. Her periods will continue, although she can no longer get pregnant. Menstruation occurs during the placebo week of the pill regimen. And she may have no symptoms of menopause because the pill continues to deliver more than adequate amounts of estrogen and progestin.

If you are taking the pill and are older than age 50, consider stopping oral contraceptive use. Discuss with your doctor how you can determine whether menopause has occurred and what alternatives there are for contraception if you still need it. When you no longer need contraception, hormone therapy is a better option for managing uncomfortable menopausal vasomotor symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats.

Using the BC pill as HRT (hormone replacement therapy) is not recommended. Different hormones at different strengths are used for the two very different cases.