Menopause and the Pill

I am 47 and have been on the Pill since my 20's except when trying to concevoe or when pregnant. About 5 years ago I started to get night sweats and my OB gave me an FSH test and said I was apparently on the verge of menopause, although I was quite young.

Eventually the night sweats went away, but I continued to menstruate. Over the last 6 months, my periods have changed, become lighter and darker. I had my annual appointment a few months ago and asked my GYN if I might be approaching menopause.

She said that because I am on the Pill, I might continue to menstruate because of the hormones. Now I am thinking that I might have gone through menopause years ago and just didn't know it. She said the only way to really know is to go off the Pill, but since I use it for birth control, that might not be a great idea. She suggested that I stay on the Pill for another few years.

So is there no other way to know whether you've gone through menopause? I could have my husband get a vasectomy, I guess, but it seems crazy to do that if it isn't necessary.

Any other experienes out there?

Fri. Jun 22, 11:18am

Whoa, back up! Should you be on the Pill at 47? After 35 it confers higher risk of stroke and blood clots -- not something that I personally was willing to risk. Has your Dr. talked to you about this? Have you thought about an IUD rather than a surgical solution for you or your husband?

Friday, June 22, 2007, 11:21 AM

can't you go off of the pill and use an alternate form of birth control for that time? knowing would be more important to me than having sex. then, if you have gone through menopause, you don't need to go back on the pill , right?

here's a link to an article that sounds like your story.

Link

Friday, June 22, 2007, 11:35 AM

OP Here

I have no medical or family history that put me at risk for stroke or blood clots. In fact, after may husband and I decided that we were not going to have any more children, he was going to get a vasectomy. But my OB/GYN said there was no reason for me to go off the Pill and in fact there were some medical benefits to saying on it like reduced risk of cervical cancer.

Friday, June 22, 2007, 11:38 AM

Thanks for the link, 11:35

OP again.

The article describes my situation exactly and also confirms what my GYN said about the benefits of staying on the Pill.

I could go to another form of birth control. My husband is willing to get a vasectomy or I could get an IUD. But again, it's a matter of what is least intrusive. Both seem extreme just to determine whether I have gone through menopause when I can just continue as I have. Of course there's always condoms... but that takes me way back.... not sure that I even want to go there... especially if I need to do it for a whole 12 months to be sure.

I know... I want my cake and eat it too!

Friday, June 22, 2007, 11:49 AM

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