Menopause on the Pill? How Will You Know?

I have to say I'm a little naïve when it comes to some medical things.  For example, I've been on the pill for longer than I care to admit, but didn't realize that I was NOT actually having a period every 4 weeks. Instead I have what's called "withdrawal bleeding" due to the fact that when I do not take the pills in the 4th week, estrogen levels drop and cause this sort of artificial period. So menopause on the pill was a good subject for me to research. as I looked at treatment of menopause symptoms.

 I started to think more about it because I think I've been having hot flashes, night sweats, etc. for about 5 years, even though I'm only 47. I suppose I've been having perimenopause symptoms. . 

But if you're not actually ovulating and having a period, how do you know when you're going through  menopause on the pill; and how will you know when it's safe to stop taking the pill?

The answers are really not simple because while you WILL go through "menopause on the pill," you might not notice because you may only have the symptoms during the week that you are NOT taking the pill - or are taking the inert pills. If you are on a pill like Seasonique, where you only take inert pills every 4 months or so, you may only experience hot flashes and/or night sweats during the time you are on that break.

I asked my Doctor about menopause on the pill and she gave me a blank stare.  She's not a GYN so she had to research the subject a little. That's how much is known about menopause on the pill and how you know when to stop taking it.

We did finally figure out that the test is called FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) which checks a hormone marker for menopause. Usually it's not done until after the age of 51; many women are in full menopause by the age of 55. However, you need to be off the pill for awhile before you can take the test to get rid of the estrogen and progesterone hormones that are being replaced by the pill. Ask your GYN if you could take the test at the end of when you take the inert pills, it might be just enough wait time.

Basically, when you're on the birth control pill your body is getting hormones at a level above what your ovaries would produce. When you're in menopause, your ovaries no longer produce these hormones as you are no longer ovulating; your body doesn't need them anymore.

So the answer to menopause on the pill is that you will still go through menopause when your genetics, as well as other predetermined factors, say it's time, and at that time, you will probably seek menopause treatment.  But in order to know for sure if you are in pre-menopause, or have gone into full menopause, you will need to take the FSH test. And, if necessary, use some form of non-hormonal birth control while you're testing.

Read about the advantages and disadvantages to menopause on the pill, and why you might just want to stay on the pill (or not. . .) 

Home Test Kit:

See also:

Menopause on the Pill Side Effects

Perimenopause Hot Flashes

Reduce Menopause Weight Gain

Supplements for Treatment of Menopause