Managing Perimenopause: Birth Control Options & Symptom Relief

Perimenopause is a transitional hormonal phase for women, typically occurring 3 to 5 years before the last menstrual cycle, which is the signal of full-blown menopause. During this phase, women start experiencing symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia, while still being susceptible to pregnancy. Low-dose birth control pills are often prescribed to handle not only the hormonal fluctuations but also to prevent pregnancy. Oral contraception provides several benefits for perimenopausal women.

Regulate Menstrual Cycle

• Perimenopausal women often have unpredictable cycles because of fluctuating hormones, but a birth control pill has enough estrogen to often regulate the cycles.

Prevent Bone Loss

• The estrogen in birth control pills triggers the production of extra bone mass, thereby reducing the threat of osteoporosis.

Relieve PMS

• The cramping, irritability and bloating occurring with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which often intensifies during perimenopause, is alleviated with low-dose estrogen found in birth control pills.

Prevent Cancer

• The estrogen in birth control pills serves as a protection against certain types of cancer in the uterus and ovaries.

Ease the Transition

• Birth control pills ease the transition from perimenopause to menopause by reducing symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, insomnia and night sweats.