How does taking the pill affect menopause?  My doctor told me that women who take the pill don't go through menopause. I find that hard to believe.

Answer:

Bottom line - a woman will still experience menopause whether she’s taking birth control pills or not. However, the symptoms associated with menopause may never be experienced or noticed thanks to the added estrogen and progesterone that the birth control pill supplies during the time that the body can’t produce it on its own.

To understand how the birth control pill affects the body during menopause, you must understand menopause itself. During menopause the ovaries gradually stop secreting estrogen and progesterone. These female hormones are responsible for prompting your menstrual period and egg production. So as the body begins to produce less and less of these two hormones; your periods will gradually decline and fewer eggs will be produced.

Common menopausal symptoms associated with decreased estrogen and progesterone production include hot flashes, restless sleep, memory loss, depression and vaginal dryness. A menopausal woman who continues to take her birth control pills will continue to give her body potent doses of estrogen and progesterone, so she won’t suffer the symptoms of menopause. As a result, a menopausal woman on birth control will continue to get her period; however she won’t produce eggs to allow her to get pregnant.

This all sounds well and good, however there is a downside associated with taking the pill during menopause. Birth control pills provide strong amounts of estrogen and progestin and put you at risk of developing high blood pressure and heart disease.

Instead of birth control, opt for a safe alternative by asking your doctor to recommend another contraceptive during menopause.