Hormone Therapy and Contraception

“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…”.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:

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 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

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.

  1. Birth Control Methods
  2. Contraception
  3. Contraception
  4. Contraception for the Older Women
  5. Contraception: You Need It Longer Than You May Think
  6. Estrogen & Hormones: Overview – Is HRT the Same As Birth Control?
  7. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  8. Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  9. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  10. Hormone Replacement Therapy
  11. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  12. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  13. Hormone Therapy for Menopause
  14. Information About Menopause [Videos]
  15. Menopause
  16. Menopause
  17. Menopause
  18. Menopause FAQs: An Introduction To Menopause – Q. Now that my periods have stopped, can I discontinue contraceptives?
  19. 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]
  20. Menopause: Menopause – Hormone Treatments
  21. Menopause: What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (HRT)? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  22. Perimenopause
  23. Perimenopause
  24. Perimenopause Birth Control: What Are My Options?
  25. Sex & Relationships: Managing Contraception During Menopause
  26. The Menopause: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) [+ Video: Is HRT Bad for You?]
  27. Video Series-2021: Importance of Birth Control In Perimenopause
  28. Video Series-2021: Importance of Contraception at Perimenopause
  29. Video Series-2021: What Women Need to Know About Hormone Therapies
  30. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause: Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  31. Webinars: Previous – Perimenopause Contraception
  32. Your Contraceptive Guide
  33. 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. 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: 03 January 2022
  2. Sex & Relationships: Managing Contraception During Menopause – When Is It Safe To Stop Contraception? Last Updated: 16 July 2021 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/sex Accessed: 03 January 2022
  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: 03 January 2022
  4. Contraception for the Older Woman: Hormone Replacement Therapy. Reviewed: November 2019. British Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/contraception-older-woman/ Accessed: 03 January 2022
  5. Contraception: You Need It Longer Than You May Think. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/reminders-and-resources/contraception-you-need-it-longer-than-you-may-think Accessed: 03 January 2022

Topic Last Updated: 03 January 2022 – Topic Last Reviewed: 03 January 2022
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