Hormone Therapy and Contraception

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

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

“Keep in mind, MHT is not a contraceptive”.2

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

Hormone Therapy and Contraception“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 (WHC) 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. As well as being an effective method of contraception, the Mirena® 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?

In Contraception for Older Women: Hormone Replacement Therapy the WHC also note:

“Once HRT has been started, it can be difficult to know when contraception can be stopped since HRT will often produce regular monthly bleeds. It is best to continue contraception alongside HRT until the age of 55 when contraception is no longer needed”.5

Health Care Provider

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

In Looking After Yourself: Sex and Relationships – Contraception During Menopause: When Is It Safe To Stop Contraception? the JH note:

“Talk to your doctor about the best contraception for you”.6

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics 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

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

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  2. Birth Control Options: Things To Consider
  3. Contraception
  4. Contraception
  5. Contraception and the Menopause
  6. Contraception for the Older Women
  7. Contraception: You Need It Longer Than You May Think
  8. Dr Gail Busby – I Forgot To Ask the Doctor – Episode 9 The Menopause
  9. Estrogen & Hormones: Overview – Is HRT the Same As Birth Control?
  10. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  11. Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  12. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
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  14. Hormone Replacement Therapy
  15. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  16. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  17. Hormone Therapy for Menopause
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  19. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  20. Menopause
  21. Menopause
  22. Menopause
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  24. Menopause FAQs: An Introduction To Menopause – Q. Now that my periods have stopped, can I discontinue contraceptives?
  25. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Hormone Therapy and Contraception
  26. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – Stages of Menopause: Perimenopause
  27. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  28. Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
  29. Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t
  30. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause – About Menopause: Should I still use a contraceptive during menopause to avoid pregnancy? [NICE Guideline]
  31. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  32. Perimenopause
  33. Perimenopause
  34. Perimenopause – Fact Sheet
  35. Sex & Relationships: Managing Contraception During Menopause
  36. Video Series-2021: Importance of Birth Control In Perimenopause
  37. Video Series-2021: Importance of Contraception at Perimenopause
  38. Video Series-2022: Hormone Therapy: Understanding the Risks and Benefits
  39. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause: Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  40. Webinars: Previous – Perimenopause Contraception
  41. Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me This? Episode 3: Dr Annice Mukherjee: Your Essential Menopause Toolkit
  42. Your Contraceptive Guide
  43. Your Contraceptive Guide: How Do I Know I’ve Reached Menopause If I’m on the Pill?

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Contraception for the Older Woman: Hormone Replacement Therapy. Updated: November 2022:4. British Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/contraception-older-woman/ Accessed: 26 March 2023
  2. Looking After Yourself: Sex and Relationships – Contraception During Menopause: When Is It Safe To Stop Contraception? Last Updated: 07 March 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself#sex-and-relationships Accessed: 26 March 2023
  3. Estrogen & Hormones: Overview – Is HRT the Same As Birth Control? Reviewed: 29 April 2019. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16979-estrogen–hormones Accessed: 26 March 2023
  4. Contraception for the Older Woman: Hormone Replacement Therapy. Updated: November 2022:4. British Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/contraception-older-woman/ Accessed: 26 March 2023
  5. Contraception for the Older Woman: Hormone Replacement Therapy. Updated: November 2022:4. British Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/contraception-older-woman/ Accessed: 26 March 2023
  6. Looking After Yourself: Sex and Relationships – Contraception During Menopause: When Is It Safe To Stop Contraception? Last Updated: 07 March 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself#sex-and-relationships Accessed: 26 March 2023
Topic Last Updated: 26 March 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 26 March 2023

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