Birth Control during Menopause?

[toniar]

Experiencing hot flashes before your time? You might be going through perimenopause, the period of hormonal changes leading up to menopause, usually beginning in a woman's late forties. Perimenopause is basically a low-grade version of menopause itself — you experience most of the same symptoms, but they are less severe. A distant hot flash here or there, trouble sleeping, irregular periods, or subtle changes to your body or sexual function may be signals that you've entered perimenopause.

However, there is one area in which perimenopause is distinctly different from full-fledged menopause: your fertility. Birth control is a must until you've reached the one-year anniversary of your last menstrual period. Until then, you may still be able to conceive. The options are the same as they've always been. Low-dose birth control pills are often prescribed during this period for pregnancy prevention, as well as to minimize perimenopausal symptoms. In fact, low-dose pills have been found to significantly reduce hot flashes and improve bone density, which begins declining more rapidly in the years leading up to menopause. The intrauterine device (IUD) is another excellent option, since it can remain in place for up to 12 years and comes in a hormone-free version. Otherwise, condoms will still do the trick. Just make sure you're using something!

By, Dr. Laura Berman  Passion Files

[MSugarKane]

May. 27, 2009 at 9:07 AM

I use birth control pills low dose and all hot flashes and night sweats disappeared.