Hormone Therapy and Contraception ⋆ Meno Martha International...

“Women who take birth control pills have not been through menopause and need higher levels of hormones to prevent ovulation. HRT is not a high enough…”.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

Contraceptive or Not

Is menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or hormone therapy (HT) a contraceptive which women can choose to use to prevent becoming pregnant?

No. The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health caution:

“Please note that MHT is not a contraceptive”.²

In Estrogen & Hormones: Overview – Is HRT the Same As Birth Control? the (United States) Cleveland Clinic explain:

“No. Although women who take birth control pills are also taking estrogen and progestin, the effect is not the same. Women who take birth control pills have not been through menopause and need higher levels of hormones to prevent ovulation. HRT is not a high enough strength to stop ovulation.

After menopause, estrogen levels are low and HRT is used at a low dose to restore hormone levels to a more normal level”.³

Contraception Methods

What are some methods of contraception when using HRT?

In Contraception for Older Women: Hormone Replacement Therapy the (British) Women’s Health Concern explain:

“It is important to realise that HRT is not a method of contraception. If periods have not stopped before starting HRT then a method of contraception should be used in addition to HRT. Suitable methods to consider would be barrier methods, an IUD, the progestogen-only pill or the IUS. The IUS has the additional advantage of providing the progestogen component of HRT and so minimises bleeding problems and other side-effects that might occur from the progestogen”.⁴

Contraception

How long may women need to use contraception?

The North American Menopause Society note:

“Although fertility falls during perimenopause, women are not fully protected from an unplanned pregnancy until they have reached menopause, which means 12 straight months without a period. Even if you have a few months without a period, you can still get pregnant”.⁵

Health Care Provider

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

If you choose to use HT it may be in your best interest to also choose to talk to your health care provider about your contraceptive options.

Health Topics A-Z

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Health Topics A-Z

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Sources

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