Can hormonal birth control cause hot flashes?

Not usually. While birth control isn't typically associated with hot flashes if you do notice feeling randomly hot and sweaty after starting a new birth control pill, give the pill, patch, or ring 2-3 months for your body to get used to the medication and if it’s still a problem at 2-3 months, then consult a doctor to determine whether it may be a good idea to switch. Low-dose birth control may actually be implemented for those going through perimenopause as a means to reduce the severity of hot flashes.

Do birth control pills delay menopause?

No, birth control pills have not been found to delay menopause. However, birth control pills can hide the symptoms of menopause. When you are on birth control pills, you can have a monthly withdrawal bleed. Not bleeding for 12 months NOT on hormones is the definition of menopause, so it makes it difficult to know if someone is in menopause if they are currently on hormonal birth control.

Do I need birth control after 45?

Most likely yes you need birth control after 45 and until you’re 50 or so. This depends on whether or not you have reached menopause. If you are still in the perimenopausal stage, you should keep using birth control in order to prevent pregnancy and/or reduce perimenopausal symptoms. After you have had menopause (12 months without a period while NOT on hormones), you do not need birth control.

Can birth control cause night sweats?

Yes birth control can cause night sweats but this is rare. Night sweats may occur as a result of starting a new birth control prescription. However, this will not be the case for everyone. Give your body a few months to get used to the new medication and if this is still a problem, see your doctor.

Does birth control help regulate periods?

Yes, birth control can help regulate your monthly bleeding! Birth control stabilizes the female hormones, estrogen, and progesterone, which results in regular, lighter monthly bleeds. It is also possible to skip your period while on birth control pills by skipping the row of sugar pills and going straight into the next pack. See our founder/CEO, Dr. Sophia Yen’s TEDx talk at the bottom of this page for more information on making #periodsOptional.

Can perimenopause mimic pregnancy symptoms?

Yes, perimenopause symptoms such as nausea and weight gain can mimic those associated with early pregnancy. With that said, consult a doctor if you think you are pregnant.

When should I stop taking hormonal birth control during perimenopause/menopause?

This can vary depending on when an individual wants to get pregnant and/or experiences menopause. Consult a doctor if you are considering stopping your current birth control. For menopause, it’s around 50 years of age because the risk of blood clots from “regular” birth control pills (those with estrogen in them) is greater than the risk of pregnancy at 50 years old.

How long does perimenopause last?

Perimenopause typically lasts anywhere between a few months and 4 years.

Can periods restart after menopause?

Periods do not restart after menopause. If you do experience vaginal bleeding after you have gone through menopause, consult a doctor.

How long is too long for a period during perimenopause?

Periods that occur during perimenopause should not last more than 7 days. If you bleed more than 7 days in a row, please consult a doctor.

How long does a woman go through menopause?

The entire process of menopause (perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause) typically lasts between 7 and 11 years, though it may be more or less for some.

How do you know if you are in menopause if on the pill?

There's no way to know if you're going through menopause while you're on the pill. According to doctors, people over the age of 50 who haven't had a period in one year are menopausal, and people who are over the age of 40 who haven't had a period in two years are menopausal. The only way to know if you've gone through menopause while on hormonal birth control is to stop taking it and see if you do NOT bleed for 12 months.

How Can I Tell if I’ve Reached Menopause?

If you haven’t bled for the past 12 months in a row and you’re not on some hormones, you’re probably in menopause. The average age of menopause is around 51 years old . Once an individual with a uterus has gone 12 months without a period, they have reached menopause. However, this may be difficult to track if the individual is taking hormonal birth control. Some may choose to stop birth control once they are 50 or so to check if they have entered menopause, but this does not have to be the case for all individuals. If one does choose to stop taking birth control , one should use another form of contraception (i.e. condoms) to prevent pregnancy until your doctor confirms you are no longer at risk of pregnancy (generally at menopause).

Can You Still Get Pregnant During Perimenopause?

Yes, you can still get pregnant during perimenopause. Even when periods become less frequent, the body may be releasing more eggs. Furthermore, if a person with a uterus is currently taking birth control, they should continue to do so during perimenopause. If they are not on birth control, they should use an additional form of contraception (i.e. condoms) for protection. It is also necessary to keep track of menstrual cycles in order to determine when it has been 12 months since the last cycle. Scheduling regular gynecological visits is a great way to help ensure that any rogue pregnancies will be detected early.

Birth Control And Menopause: When Is It Time To Quit?

Medically reviewed by Sophia Yen, MD, MPH – Written by Pandia Health Editorial Team. Updated on May 19, 2023

Birth control is used to prevent unwanted pregnancy, while menopause marks the end of reproductive years. As you approach menopause, you may wonder whether you should continue using birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

In this article, we will discuss if you should continue taking birth control after reaching menopause. We will also explore the various birth control options available for those approaching menopause and discuss how to choose the right birth control method for your needs.

Is it Safe to Take Birth Control During Menopause?

No, it is not recommended to take birth control once you’ve reached menopause. The average American woman reaches Menopause around the age of 51. You’ve most likely already reached menopause if you’re over the age of 50 and you haven’t had a period in more than 1 year. If you’re not sure if you’ve reached menopause, consult your doctor. No, it is not recommended to take birth control once you’ve reached menopause. The average American woman reaches Menopause around the age of 51. You’ve most likely already reached menopause if you’re over the age of 50 and you haven’t had a period in more than 1 year. If you’re not sure if you’ve reached menopause, consult your doctor.

When Should You Stop Taking Birth Control?

To prevent unwanted pregnancy, doctors usually recommend that individuals with a uterus use contraception until they’ve fully reached menopause, or they’re between 50 and 55 years old. Individuals who have entered Perimenopause (the years-long time period when your body transitions into menopause) may benefit from continuing to take birth control until they’ve reached menopause. Hormonal birth control methods can help regulate the menstrual cycle and alleviate perimenopausal symptoms.

However, using hormonal birth control during perimenopause can also increase the risk of certain health problems, such as blood clots, stroke, and heart disease, especially in women over 35 who smoke. Therefore, people with a history of blood clots, heart disease, or breast cancer may be advised not to take combined (estrogen and progestin-containing) hormonal birth control. Always talk to your doctor to determine the most appropriate birth control method for your age, needs, and medical history.

Benefits of Hormonal Birth Control for Perimenopause

Taking hormonal birth control (i.e. the pill, ring, implant, hormonal IUD, etc.) during perimenopause can help prevent pregnancy. Additionally, using birth control during perimenopause can help alleviate unpleasant perimenopause symptoms such as period cramps, spotting between periods, and irregular periods.

Taking birth control during perimenopause can also decrease the likelihood of developing health conditions such as endometrial and ovarian cancer. Additionally, because birth control regulates hormone levels, it can further treat some of the effects associated with perimenopause such as hot flashes, acne, and vaginal dryness.

However, it is important to note that hormonal contraceptives can mask perimenopause symptoms. While this can be a good thing, those who take birth control may not recognize when they have fully reached menopause. For this reason, it is crucial for you to communicate with your primary care doctor to understand what is going on in your body.

Risks of Taking Birth Control During Perimenopause

While hormonal birth control can be extremely beneficial for relieving perimenopausal symptoms, it can increase the risk of blood clots in some individuals with a uterus. More specifically, it is recommended that those with a history of blood disorders, heart disease, high blood pressure, and/or breast or liver cancer (personally, family history is OK) not take estrogen-containing hormonal contraceptives. This also applies to individuals who smoke and are 35 years or older.

Instead of using higher-dose hormonal birth control (which can increase the likelihood of developing blood clots) to alleviate the symptoms of perimenopause, individuals with a uterus can try hormone therapy or low-dose birth control pills. With that said, these methods have pros and cons, so individuals should consult a doctor to determine the best option for their health.

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Types of Birth Control for Perimenopause Symptoms

When it comes to birth control and perimenopause, the right choice for you depends on your needs and personal health history. Generally, birth control pills, rings, and hormonal IUDs are the safest birth control options for Perimenopausal people. Your doctor or the experts at Pandia Health can help you determine which option is safest and best for your unique needs.

Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills can be used to treat perimenopause symptoms by providing estrogen and progesterone. These hormones can alleviate symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood changes. Birth control pills can also regulate menstrual cycles, which can be irregular during perimenopause.

Doctors say that one of the best options for perimenopause is a low-dose combo pill. These pills contain low amounts of hormones but are still effective at treating symptoms and preventing unexpected pregnancies. The other option is the mini pill, which only has progestin. Doctors often recommend the mini pill to people with underlying health issues that make the use of estrogen dangerous for their health.

Birth Control Ring

Birth control rings like Annovera (10 mcg of estrogen, lasts for 1 year) and Nuvaring (20 mcg of estrogen, change ring monthly) deliver a steady, continuous dose of estrogen and progesterone hormones. Users self-insert contraceptive rings in the vagina. Researchers say contraceptive rings effectively minimize perimenopause symptoms like hot flashes and irregular bleeding. In early studies, doctors noticed fewer adverse side effects for menopausal women using vaginal rings with estrogen for menopause treatment.

Hormonal IUDs

Like birth control rings, hormonal IUDs are a low-maintenance treatment option if you want birth control for perimenopause. An IUD is a small device that a doctor inserts inside your uterus. The hormonal devices release progestin, which can help reduce some perimenopause symptoms. The hormonal IUD can provide long-term contraception for up to 37 years, depending on the type of device. However, there may be some side effects such as irregular bleeding, cramping, and acne. It’s important to consult with a doctor to determine if a hormonal IUD is a safe option for you.

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How to Choose the Right Birth Control for Perimenopause Symptoms

Choosing the right birth control to manage perimenopause symptoms can be overwhelming, but don’t worry – we’re here to help! There are several factors to consider when selecting the best option for you.

First, it’s important to know the different types of birth control available and how they work. Hormonal options like pills, patches, and IUDs can be effective in managing symptoms, while non-hormonal methods like condoms and diaphragms may be more suitable for those with certain health conditions such as cardiac risk factors (hypertension, high cholesterol, etc).

Your individual medical history and current health status are also important factors to consider. If you’ve had blood clots or certain types of cancer, hormonal birth control may not be a good choice for you. Additionally, some medications or health conditions may affect which birth control is appropriate.

Don’t forget to think about personal preferences and lifestyle factors too. Do you want a long-acting method like an IUD or implant, or the flexibility of a pill or ring? The best way to find the right birth control for you is to talk to your doctor or the expert doctors at Pandia Health. They can help you navigate the options, ensure safety based on your medical history, and provide guidance tailored to your individual preferences and lifestyle.

Get Expert Insights from the Doctors at Pandia Health

If you’re searching for the right birth control to take during perimenopause, ask the board-certified doctors at Pandia Health! Our expert doctors can prescribe a range of birth control options based on what’s best for you, and best of all, you’ll get your birth control delivered to your home with FREE delivery and goodies included! Sign up for Pandia Health today.

Pandia Health is dedicated to providing accurate, reliable health knowledge. Check us out on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and our other social channels for insights from our experts about birth control methods, women’s health, and safe sex.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article intend to inform and induce conversation. They are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Pandia Health, and are for informational purposes only, even if and to the extent that this article features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.

Birth Control and Menopause: Should You Keep Taking It?