Many people take hormonal contraceptives during their childbearing years. As you get closer to that age menopause You may be wondering if you can go through menopause while taking birth control pills, as it can happen.
The short answer is yes. You may be going through menopause, but taking birth control pills may mask some of the symptoms.
This article discusses how birth control and menopause affect your symptoms, how to tell if you've reached menopause, and when to stop taking birth control pills.
How do birth control pills affect menopause symptoms?
First, let's look at some terms related to menopause.
- before and after menopause This is the time when your periods begin to change and often become less frequent. Perimenopause lasts about four years and ends with your last menstruation. During perimenopause, you may have more or less frequent periods than usual. You may start to skip periods and experience menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes.
- you have been through menopause When there is no menstruation for 12 consecutive months. The average age of menopause is 51 years, but the typical age range is 45 to 55 years and can occur from 40 to 60 years of age.
- menopause This is the period after menopause occurs.
Taking birth control pills may mask some of the symptoms of perimenopause, such as irregular periods and other symptoms mentioned above. Because of this, it can be difficult to know whether you are experiencing side effects from the birth control pill or changes as you approach menopause.
Does the type of pill matter?
Birth control pills generally fall into two categories:
Both types of birth control pills may cause changes in bleeding, which may cause shorter or longer cycles, spotting, irregular periods, or lighter periods.
In rare cases, some people have heavier periods, others have lighter periods, and some have no periods at all. Therefore, both types of birth control pills may have the side effect of irregular bleeding, which may mask the bleeding changes associated with menopause.
How does menopause affect your hormones?
As you reach perimenopause (premenopausal period), the supply of eggs in your ovaries decreases. At the same time, ovulation becomes irregular. Additionally, the body reduces production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. A significant decrease in estrogen levels is the cause of most menopause symptoms.
Contraceptive pill side effects and menopause symptoms
The side effects of birth control may overlap with menopause symptoms. They have similar symptoms (bleeding changes, vaginal problems, weight changes, etc.) as well as unique symptoms.
The table below compares two common problems: If you're taking birth control pills but think you may be in menopause, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor.
Common birth control pill side effects and common menopause symptoms | |
---|---|
Contraceptive pill side effects | menopause symptoms |
Changes in bleeding/irregular menstruation, including bleeding or spotting, heavy or light periods, or missed periods | Changes in bleeding/irregular menstruation, including bleeding or spotting, heavy or light periods, or missed periods |
sickness | hot flashes, night sweats |
throw up | bladder control problems; bladder infection |
stomach cramps | sleep disorder |
bloating | Vaginal dryness, which can cause pain during intercourse |
diarrhea | Feeling somewhat interested in sex |
Constipation | mood swings |
swollen gums | weight change |
changes in appetite | |
weight change | |
darkened skin patches | |
acne | |
abnormal hair growth | |
If your breasts are painful or enlarged | |
Vaginal irritation and/or discharge |
How do you know if menopause is approaching?
During perimenopause, symptoms may or may not be present, and the intensity of symptoms can range from very mild to severe. Here are some symptoms you may experience in your 40s or 50s:
- hot flashes: A sudden sensation of heat in the upper body and face lasts from a few seconds to several minutes or longer. Hot flushes that occur at night are called night sweats, and they can disrupt sleep and make you feel tired during the day.
- sleep disorder: You may have trouble falling and/or staying asleep, or your sleep may be interrupted by night sweats.
- vaginal changes: Decreased estrogen levels can cause the vaginal lining to become thinner, drier, and less elastic. Dryness can cause painful intercourse and make vaginal infections more likely. The urethra can become dry and irritated, which can lead to a urinary tract infection.
If you have questions about perimenopause or menopause, you can contact your health care provider for medical guidance.
Have I reached menopause?
Menopause occurs when there is no bleeding, including spotting, for 12 consecutive months. This means that your periods will permanently stop and you will not be able to get pregnant.
Taking birth control pills can make things more complicated, especially for people who have completely stopped bleeding as a side effect of the pill. In this case, you may consult your health care provider for medical guidance.
Experts point out that hormone testing is not a definitive diagnosis of menopause. However, considering specific labs by age may help health care providers evaluate menopausal status in people over age 50 taking hormonal contraceptives.
Researchers suggest that one way to test for menopause in people taking birth control pills is to stop taking them for two to three months once they turn 50 and see if menstruation occurs.
While you are taking this medication, your healthcare provider may periodically check lab tests and ask you questions about your symptoms. Please note that if you stop taking birth control pills before menopause and do not wish to become pregnant, you will need a back-up method of birth control, such as condoms.
Keep in mind that the level frequently tested in the lab, called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level, may itself be inaccurate. That's why health care providers consider so many variables.
In summary: Have you reached menopause?
You have reached menopause if you have had no bleeding or spotting for 12 consecutive months. However, because taking birth control pills can cause your period to stop, it is more difficult to know whether your period has stopped due to birth control side effects or perimenopause/menopause.
Your health care provider can guide you through these situations and help you determine whether you have reached menopause.
When to stop taking birth control pills
If you are taking birth control pills, you should always talk to your doctor before stopping the pill. Stopping birth control pills too quickly may cause unintended pregnancy.
Fertility declines during perimenopause, but you can still get pregnant until you reach menopause, which is 12 consecutive months without menstruation. Even if you haven't had your period for 10 months, you can still get pregnant. Experts recommend using a safe, effective, and appropriate type of birth control until menopause is confirmed.
In addition to preventing pregnancy, taking birth control pills can provide additional benefits, including:
However, some risks may be increased, including an increased risk of blood clots, heart attack, stroke, and breast cancer.
If you are perimenopausal, you should not take birth control pills that contain estrogen (you may take progestin-only birth control pills if approved by your healthcare provider) if:
If you want to stop taking birth control pills but still need birth control, you have a variety of options, including:
You can talk to your health care provider about which birth control method is best for you.
summary
Menopause can cause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and vaginal dryness.
For those taking birth control pills, it can be difficult to distinguish between the side effects of the pill and the symptoms of menopause. This is especially true because it is often difficult to know whether menstrual bleeding has stopped due to birth control pills or menopause.
For more information and medical advice about reproductive health and menopause, contact your health care provider.