What are the symptoms of menopause while on birth control pills? Learn how birth control can impact menopausal symptoms and how to manage them.

Menopause and Birth Control: Masking the Symptoms

Many people use hormonal birth control, including those in perimenopause. However, birth control can mask some menopause symptoms, making it difficult to tell if a person has reached it. People do not reach menopause itself until a year after their last menstruation.

Hormones and Menopause Symptoms

Menopause occurs due to a decline in the levels of estrogen and progesterone, which are the two hormones responsible for a person’s menstrual cycle. Birth control pills contain synthetic forms of one or both of these two hormones, which can prevent the body from recognizing the natural decline in estrogen and progesterone that occurs during menopause.

Symptoms Masked by Birth Control

As a result, the symptoms that a person typically experiences during perimenopause may not be as apparent or noticeable if they are taking birth control pills. One such symptom is an irregular period, which is very common during this stage. However, a person who is taking the minipill, which contains only a synthetic form of progesterone, may be more likely to experience irregular bleeding and hot flashes during early menopause.

Side Effects Mistaken for Menopausal Symptoms

The hormones in combination birth control pills will help to regulate the menstrual cycle and hormones, which will prevent many of the symptoms of menopause. However, it is possible that the pill will cause side effects that are very similar to the symptoms of hormone fluctuation. These can include mood swings, decreased libido, and changes in appetite.

Determining Menopausal Status While on Birth Control

One way to check if symptoms are due to menopause or birth control side effects is to stop taking the birth control pill to allow the body’s natural cycle to resume. It can take some time for the natural hormones to kick back in and for regular menstrual cycles to begin again. If symptoms continue when someone stops taking the birth control pill, including irregular bleeding, it is likely that they are going through perimenopause. Conversely, if the symptoms go away, these were probably side effects of the pill.

Managing Menopause Symptoms While on Birth Control

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help reduce or prevent the symptoms relating to declining estrogen levels. HRT does not provide contraception, so if a person needs contraception and desires relief from perimenopause symptoms, birth control pills can be ideal for treatment. However, medication is not always necessary to manage symptoms. Some people find relief from home remedies, such as reducing caffeine intake, using ice packs to manage hot flashes, exercising regularly, and taking herbal supplements.

How can birth control pills mask the symptoms of menopause?

Birth control pills contain synthetic forms of estrogen and progesterone, which can prevent the body from recognizing the natural decline in these hormones that occurs during menopause. As a result, the typical symptoms of menopause, such as irregular periods and hot flashes, may not be as apparent or noticeable for someone taking birth control pills.

What are some of the side effects of birth control pills that can be mistaken for menopausal symptoms?

The hormones in birth control pills can cause side effects that are very similar to the symptoms of hormone fluctuation, including mood swings, decreased libido, and changes in appetite. These side effects can be easily confused with the natural hormonal changes associated with menopause.

How can someone determine if their symptoms are due to menopause or birth control side effects?

The best way to determine if symptoms are due to menopause or birth control side effects is to stop taking the birth control pill and allow the body’s natural cycle to resume. If symptoms continue after stopping the pill, it’s likely that the person is going through perimenopause. If the symptoms go away, they were probably just side effects of the birth control pill.

What are some non-medical options for managing menopause symptoms while on birth control?

Some people find relief from home remedies for managing menopause symptoms, such as reducing caffeine intake, using ice packs to manage hot flashes, exercising regularly, and taking herbal supplements. These non-medical approaches can be effective for managing symptoms without the need for additional medication.

How can hormone replacement therapy (HRT) help with menopause symptoms while on birth control?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help reduce or prevent the symptoms relating to declining estrogen levels that occur during menopause. HRT does not provide contraception, so it can be a good option for someone who needs both contraception and relief from perimenopause symptoms.

What is the average age of reaching menopause?

The average age of a person reaching menopause is around 51 years old. Some doctors may recommend that a person stops taking birth control around this age to see if they have reached menopause yet, but it’s important to continue using contraception until menopause is confirmed.