According to the article "Hormonal Contraception in Women of Older Reproductive Age" by Andrew M. Kaunitz in the March 20, 2008, edition of the "New England Journal of Medicine," women who are entering menopause can still use hormone-based birth control. For most women, menopause starts at about age 51, according to the Mayo Clinic. Not only do the low levels of hormone provide protection against pregnancy, but can also help with menopause. According to the journal, women can choose from three different types of low dose birth control pills: combination pills, progestin-only pills and extended cycle pills.
Hormones
According to the "New England Journal of Medicine," two types of hormones are used in birth control: synthetic estrogen and progesterone; the type of synthetic progesterone used in birth control is called progestin. All forms of birth control contain low doses of one or both of these hormones. In addition, according to the research by Kaunitz, women who take low-dose birth control pills have a reduction in the severity of their menopause symptoms.
Combination Birth Control Pill
The combination birth control pill contains both low levels of estrogen and progestin, according to the "New England Journal of Medicine." Combination pills are the most common form of hormone birth control pills on the market, according to the journal. When used properly, combination birth control pills are 99 percent effective.
Progestin-Only Birth Control Pill
The progestin-only birth control pill is another type of hormone birth control pill; as its name implies, the progestin-only birth control pill does not contain any estrogen. Some women who have medical conditions that prevent them from using estrogen-based birth control, or who are smokers, should use progestin-only birth control pills. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, progestin-only birth control pills are also 99 percent effective and help reduce menopause symptoms.
Extended Cycle Birth Control Pill
A third type of low dose birth control pill for women entering menopause is the extended cycle birth control pill, according to the New England Journal of Medicine. Extended cycle birth control pills contain both estrogen and progestin, so these pills cannot be used by women who cannot take estrogen-based birth control pills. Extended cycle birth control pills are similar to combination birth control pills---same effectiveness and reduction of menopause symptoms---but extended cycle birth control pills do not contain placebo pills every month. Thus, women who use extended cycle birth control pills do not get a period every month.
Note
Women who are entering menopause have other hormone-based birth control options that do not require daily dosages: injections (three months), implant (three years) and intrauterine device (five years).
References
- Andrew M. Kaunitz, "Hormonal Contraception in Women of Older Reproductive Age", New England Journal of Medicine, 2008
- Mayo Clinic, Menopause
