Birth Control Pills and Menopause

Birth control pills, particularly the Low-dose variety, may have more benefits for women than just preventing pregnancy. A popular alternative use for these type of oral contraceptives is to help women deal with the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. The same hormones with the Pill that prevent pregnancy appear to be effective for treating a variety of the most common complaints women have during this time of change.

Treating symptoms of perimenopause/menopause with the Pill is not officially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); however more doctors than ever are prescribing the medications for just this reason. Medical studies have shown that oral contraceptives have a number of benefits for women exhibiting symptoms of perimenopause or menopause.

Low-dose oral contraceptives are either estrogen-based, progesterone-based or a combination of the two. The Pill has been shown to help women with the following symptoms:

• Irregular menstrual cycle:
When hormone levels fluctuate, the frequency of the shedding of the uterus is affected. The up and down levels trigger the body to believe it is time to menstruate. Therefore, bleeding in between “normal” menstruation occurs. The Pill maintains the balance of hormones needed to keep the menstrual cycle regular.

• Hot flashes:
Much in the same way that oral contraceptives work to regulate the menstrual cycle, they help women who experience hot flashes. How they help is not precisely known, mostly due to the fact that the exact physical cause for hot flashes is still not fully understood. But, the maintenance of hormone levels seems to help prevent hot flashes from occurring.

• Osteoporosis:
Estrogen also assists in bone strength by helping with the absorption of minerals. As the amounts of estrogen decrease, the bones lose strength and density. The Pill helps improve the levels of estrogen, therefore helping to prevent bone loss.

• Cancer:
The Pill has also been shown to help reduce incidences of ovarian and uterine cancer. In addition, other studies show that it can decrease the risk of colon cancer.

Many women wonder what effect the Pill has on the onset of breast cancer. Medical experts have found contradictory results when it comes to oral contraceptives and breast cancer. Doctors agree that more study is needed and this needs to be considered before placing just any woman on the Pill for menopause symptoms.

• Skin conditions:
Some women experience skin breakouts or blemishes during perimenopause. Acne and other skin conditions are common as the hormone level jump up and down. The Pill can help reduce or eliminate these outbreaks for many women.

Although the Pill is used in Low-doses for these symptoms, it can still have adverse affects for certain women. Studies have already shown the issues related to other forms of Hormone Replacement Therapy, and Low-dose oral contraceptive methods warrant the same concern.

There are distinct groups of women who are at high risk for serious side effects from the pill. Women who are over 35 and smoke should not be prescribed the Pill, due to the medications tendency to raise blood pressure—and women who smoke already have cause for concern with possible hypertension.

Similarly, women who are risk for strokes or who have issues with blood clots should not use the Pill. In addition, any woman who has a history of breast cancer, either her own or within her family, should avoid oral contraceptives altogether due to inconclusive findings on the connection between the Pill and this type of cancer.

For women who feel concerned about traditional Hormone Replacement Therapy, low-dose oral contraceptives offer a welcome medical alternative. The Pill can significantly improve many symptoms including hot flashes, insomnia and skin conditions while offering limited protection from certain types of cancers. Low-dose oral contraceptives can be a great alternative to traditional hormone therapy for women suffering from the side effects of perimenopause/menopause.

They have proven to be incredibly successful at providing relief for these conditions. But, the Pill isn’t for everyone—as for some, the potential hazards of blood clots, stroke and breast cancer exceed the benefits received.

If a woman is interested in how the use of low-dose oral contraceptives can help her combat the discomfort of perimenopause, it is for her to investigate her own medical history and consult with her physician about all the possible benefits and risks.

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