Hormone Therapy and Contraception

Hormone Therapy and Contraception

“Hormone therapy is not a contraceptive.
This includes menopausal hormone therapy (MHT),
hormone therapy for endometriosis and…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Hormone Therapy and Contraception Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Birth Control
  • Conception
  • Contraception
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  • Hormone Therapy (HT)
  • Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
  • Pregnancy

Contraception

What is contraception?

DotS the definition of contraception may vary. In Contraception: What Is Contraception? the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) definition is:

“Contraception means different ways to prevent pregnancy. It’s sometimes called birth control”.2

Contraceptive or Not

Is hormone therapy (HT), hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) a contraceptive to prevent pregnancy?

No. In Contraception: Hormone Therapy Is Not A Contraceptive the JH explain:

“Hormone therapy, such as menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy, is not a contraceptive”.3

In Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Sequential Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Tablets and Patches: Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Fertility While Taking or Using Sequential Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) – Sequential Combined HRT and Fertility, page last reviewed 18 January 2023, the (United Kingdom) NHS note:

“There’s a chance that you could become pregnant while taking HRT as it does not act as contraception.

Even if you think that you’ve gone through the menopause, there’s a small chance that you could become pregnant”.4

Contraceptive Advice

What is contraceptive advice?

In Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Sexual Wellbeing, Intimacy and Menopause the (Scottish) NHS Inform explain:

“It’s still possible to get pregnant during perimenopause so, if you need to, keep having conversations about contraception. If you use barrier methods with your partner, it’s important to keep using condoms as less lubrication and thinning vaginal walls during menopause can make you more vulnerable to contracting a sexually transmitted infection”.5

Contraception Methods

What are some methods of contraception when using HRT?

In Contraception for Women Over 40: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), reviewed December 2025, the (British) Women’s Health Concern (WHC) explain:

“It is important to realise that HRT is not a method of contraception. Combined hormonal contraception is an option for some women that will provide effective contraception, manage menopause symptoms and manage menstrual disorders. Otherwise, sexually active women whose periods have not stopped before starting HRT should use a method of contraception in addition. Suitable methods to consider would be barrier methods, an IUD, the progestogen-only pill or the hormonal IUD. The 52 mg LNG-IUD has the additional advantage of providing the progestogen component of HRT, minimising the side effects that some women experience with progestogen tablets, while also managing menstrual disorders”.6

Contraception

How long may women need to use contraception?

In Contraception for Women Over 40: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) the WHC also note:

“Some HRT products produce regular monthly bleeds so it can be difficult to know when contraception can be stopped. It is best to continue contraception alongside HRT until the age of 55 when contraception is no longer needed”.7

Health Care Provider

If I choose to use HT what may I choose to use for contraception?

The JH note:

“If you’re not sure which contraception to use, see your doctor. They can explain the benefits and risks of each method”.9

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Hormone Therapy and Pregnancy?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Hormone Therapy and Contraception?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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  29. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Sequential Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Tablets and Patches
  30. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Sequential Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Tablets and Patches: Common Questions About Sequential Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  31. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Sequential Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Tablets and Patches: Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Fertility While Taking or Using Sequential Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) – Sequential Combined HRT and Fertility
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  33. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Sexual Wellbeing, Intimacy and Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Is the End of Your Sex Life] [Other Languages and Formats]
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  39. Menopause, Perimenopause, Hormone Therapy and Other Treatments With Madelyn Butler, MD [Podcast]
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    Hormone Therapy and Contraception
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    Hormone Therapy and Contraception
  44. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2024: Perimenopausal Contraception
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  46. Perimenopause
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  49. What Is the Difference Between Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause?
  50. When Does Perimenopause Start and How Do You Define the Beginning
  51. Which Contraception Is Right for You? | Live with Dr Louise Newson
  52. World Menopause Day 2024: Leaflet for Women – Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy [Multiply Languages]
    Hormone Therapy and Contraception
  53. Your Daily Dose: Let’s Unpack Menopause
  54. Your Daily Dose: Perimenopause, Here’s What To Know

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Contraception for Women Over the Age of 40: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Reviewed: December 2025:5. British Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/04-NEW-WHC-FACTSHEET-Contraception-for-women-over-the-age-of-40-DEC2025-A.pdf Accessed: 23 June 2026
  2. Contraception: What Is Contraception? Jean Hailes for Women’s Healthhttps://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/sex-and-sexual-health/contraception/#section-hormone-therapy-is-not-a-contraceptive Accessed: 23 June 2026
  3. Contraception: Hormone Therapy Is Not A Contraceptive. Jean Hailes for Women’s Healthhttps://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/sex-and-sexual-health/contraception/#section-hormone-therapy-is-not-a-contraceptive Accessed: 23 June 2026
  4. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Sequential Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Tablets and Patches: Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Fertility While Taking or Using Sequential Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) – Sequential Combined HRT and Fertility. Page Last Reviewed: 18 January 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/sequential-combined-hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt-tablets-and-patches/pregnancy-breastfeeding-and-fertility-while-taking-or-using-sequential-combined-hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/ Accessed: 23 June 2026
  5. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Sexual Wellbeing, Intimacy and Menopause. Last Updated: 14 March 2023. NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health/later-years-around-50-years-and-over/menopause-and-post-menopause-health/sexual-wellbeing-intimacy-and-menopause Accessed: 23 June 2026
  6. Contraception for Women Over the Age of 40: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Reviewed: December 2025:5. British Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/04-NEW-WHC-FACTSHEET-Contraception-for-women-over-the-age-of-40-DEC2025-A.pdf Accessed: 23 June 2026
  7. Contraception for Women Over the Age of 40: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Reviewed: December 2025:5. British Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/04-NEW-WHC-FACTSHEET-Contraception-for-women-over-the-age-of-40-DEC2025-A.pdf Accessed: 23 June 2026
  8. Contraception: When To See Your Doctor. Jean Hailes for Women’s Healthhttps://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/sex-and-sexual-health/contraception/#section-hormone-therapy-is-not-a-contraceptive Accessed: 23 June 2026
Topic Last Updated: 23 June 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 23 June 2026

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