How Birth Control Can Interfere with a Perimenopause Test and Your Symptoms

Are you wondering if you are in perimenopause, the transition phase before menopause? A perimenopause test can help you find out by measuring the levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen in your blood. These hormones change as your ovaries produce less hormones. However, if you are using birth control, it may interfere with your perimenopause test and your symptoms.

In this article, you’ll learn how birth control can affect a perimenopause test and your symptoms, what types of birth control are suitable for perimenopause, and how to switch or stop your birth control.

How Birth Control Affects a Perimenopause Test

A perimenopause test is a blood test that can detect the changes in your FSH and estrogen levels. FSH is a hormone that stimulates the growth of eggs in your ovaries. Estrogen is a hormone that regulates your menstrual cycle and affects your mood, weight, and bone health. As you approach menopause, your ovaries produce less estrogen and more FSH. A perimenopause test can show if your FSH level is high and your estrogen level is low, which indicates that you are in perimenopause.

However, if you are using hormonal birth control, such as pills, injections, patches, rings, or implants, it may affect your perimenopause test results. Hormonal birth control contains synthetic hormones that mimic the natural hormones in your body. They prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation or changing the environment in your uterus or cervix. Depending on the type and dose of hormones in your birth control, it may lower your FSH level and raise your estrogen level. This can make your perimenopause test inaccurate and misleading.

Therefore, if you want to take a perimenopause test, you should stop using hormonal birth control for at least a month before the test. You should also take the test at the right time of your menstrual cycle, usually on the third day of your period. This will ensure that your test results reflect your natural hormone levels and not the effects of your birth control.

How Birth Control Affects Your Perimenopause Symptoms

Perimenopause can cause various symptoms, such as irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, insomnia, vaginal dryness, and decreased libido. These symptoms are caused by the fluctuations in your hormone levels and the decline in your ovarian function. Some of these symptoms can be similar to the side effects of hormonal birth control, such as spotting, breast tenderness, headaches, and nausea. Therefore, it can be hard to tell if your symptoms are due to perimenopause or your birth control.

Hormonal birth control can also mask some of the symptoms of perimenopause, such as irregular periods and hot flashes. This is because hormonal birth control can regulate your menstrual cycle and keep your hormone levels stable. This can make you think that you are not in perimenopause yet, when in fact you are. On the other hand, hormonal birth control can also worsen some of the symptoms of perimenopause, such as mood swings, weight gain, and bloating. This is because hormonal birth control can affect your metabolism, water retention, and blood sugar levels.

Therefore, if you are using hormonal birth control and experiencing perimenopause symptoms, you should talk to your doctor about your options. Your doctor can help you determine if your symptoms are due to perimenopause or your birth control, and if you need to switch or stop your birth control. Your doctor can also recommend other treatments for your perimenopause symptoms, such as hormone therapy, herbal remedies, or lifestyle changes.

What Types of Birth Control Are Suitable for Perimenopause

If you are in perimenopause and want to prevent pregnancy, you still need to use birth control. Perimenopause does not mean that you are infertile. You can still ovulate and get pregnant until you reach menopause, which is when you have not had a period for 12 consecutive months. However, not all types of birth control are suitable for perimenopause. You should consider your personal preferences, medical history, and risk factors when choosing a birth control method.

Hormonal birth control can have some benefits for perimenopause, such as:

• Helping maintain bone strength
• Treating acne, which may get worse in menopause
• Lowering your chances of ovarian and uterine cancer
• Lessening hot flashes
• Easing period pain and bleeding
• Making your periods more regular

However, hormonal birth control can also have some risks for perimenopause, such as:

• Increasing your risk of blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, and breast cancer
• Hiding or worsening your perimenopause symptoms
• Interfering with your perimenopause test
• Causing side effects, such as weight gain, mood swings, and spotting

Hormonal birth control may not be safe for you if you are over 35 years old, smoke, or have a history of:

• Cancer
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Blood clots

Non-hormonal birth control can be a safer and more reliable option for perimenopause. Non-hormonal birth control methods include:

• Condoms
• Birth control sponge
• Cervical cap
• Copper IUD
• Diaphragms
• Spermicide and contraceptive gels

Non-hormonal birth control methods do not affect your hormone levels or your perimenopause test. They also do not increase your risk of blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, or breast cancer. However, non-hormonal birth control methods may not be as effective as hormonal birth control methods. They also do not offer any benefits for your perimenopause symptoms. You may need to use them with another method, such as natural family planning, to increase their effectiveness.

Natural family planning, also known as the rhythm method, involves tracking your menstrual cycle to know when you are most likely to ovulate and get pregnant. You can use a calendar, a thermometer, or a fertility monitor to track your cycle. You can then avoid sex or use a barrier method during your fertile days. Natural family planning can be a natural and inexpensive way to prevent pregnancy. However, it is not very effective for perimenopause. This is because your periods become irregular and unpredictable in perimenopause. You may not be able to tell when you are ovulating or when your next period will come. Therefore, natural family planning is not recommended for perimenopause.

Sterilization is another option for perimenopause if you are sure that you do not want to have any more children. Sterilization is a permanent and irreversible way to prevent pregnancy. It involves a surgical procedure that blocks or cuts the tubes that carry the eggs or the sperm. Sterilization does not affect your hormone levels or your perimenopause test. It also does not increase your risk of blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, or breast cancer. However, sterilization does not offer any benefits for your perimenopause symptoms. It also has some risks, such as infection, bleeding, or failure.

How to Switch or Stop Your Birth Control in Perimenopause

If you are in perimenopause and want to switch or stop your birth control, you should consult your doctor first. Your doctor can help you decide when and how to switch or stop your birth control, based on your age, health, and fertility. Your doctor can also advise you on what to expect after switching or stopping your birth control, such as changes in your periods, symptoms, and mood.

Generally, you should stop using hormonal birth control when you are 50 years old or older, or when you have not had a period for a year or more. This is because you are likely to be in menopause and no longer need birth control. However, you should not stop using hormonal birth control abruptly, as this can cause withdrawal bleeding, mood swings, and other symptoms. You should gradually reduce the dose of hormones in your birth control, or switch to a lower-dose or non-hormonal method, before stopping completely.

If you are using a non-hormonal birth control method, such as a condom, a sponge, a cap, a diaphragm, or a spermicide, you can stop using it anytime you want. However, you should make sure that you are not pregnant before stopping. You should also use another method of birth control until you are sure that you are in menopause and no longer fertile.

If you are using a copper IUD, you can keep it in place until you are in menopause, or have it removed anytime you want. However, you should make sure that you are not pregnant before removing it. You should also use another method of birth control until you are sure that you are in menopause and no longer fertile.

If you have had a sterilization procedure, you do not need to switch or stop your birth control, as it is permanent and irreversible. However, you should still monitor your periods and symptoms to know when you are in menopause.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: What is perimenopause?

Answer: Perimenopause is the transition phase before menopause, when your ovaries produce less hormones and your periods become irregular. Perimenopause can last from a few months to several years, depending on your age, health, and genetics. Perimenopause can cause various symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, insomnia, vaginal dryness, and decreased libido.

Question: What is menopause?

Answer: Menopause is the stage of life when your ovaries stop producing hormones and your periods stop completely. Menopause is confirmed when you have not had a period for 12 consecutive months. Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can vary from person to person. Menopause can cause some of the same symptoms as perimenopause, as well as some of the same symptoms as perimenopause, as well as:

• Osteoporosis, which is the loss of bone density and strength
• Heart disease, which is the leading cause of death for women
• Urinary incontinence, which is the loss of bladder control
• Sexual dysfunction, which is the difficulty or pain during sex
• Cognitive decline, which is the impairment of memory and thinking skills

Question: How can I manage my perimenopause symptoms?

Answer: There are various ways to manage your perimenopause symptoms, such as:

• Hormone therapy, which is the use of synthetic hormones to replace the ones that your ovaries no longer produce. Hormone therapy can relieve hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood swings. However, hormone therapy can also have some risks, such as blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, and breast cancer. You should talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy, and the type and dose that are suitable for you.
• Herbal remedies, which are the use of natural plants or substances to treat your symptoms. Some of the common herbal remedies for perimenopause are black cohosh, soy, red clover, and St. John’s wort. Herbal remedies can have some benefits, such as reducing hot flashes, improving mood, and enhancing libido. However, herbal remedies can also have some side effects, such as allergic reactions, liver damage, and interactions with other medications. You should consult your doctor before using any herbal remedies, and follow the instructions on the label.
• Lifestyle changes, which are the modifications of your habits and behaviors to improve your health and well-being. Some of the lifestyle changes that can help you cope with perimenopause are:
  • Eating a balanced diet that is rich in calcium, vitamin D, fiber, and antioxidants, and low in fat, sugar, and salt. This can help you maintain your weight, bone health, and blood pressure, and prevent diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
  • Exercising regularly, at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. This can help you strengthen your muscles, bones, and heart, and reduce stress, depression, and anxiety. You can choose any physical activity that you enjoy, such as walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, or dancing.
  • Quitting smoking, drinking alcohol moderately, and avoiding caffeine and spicy foods. These can help you reduce your risk of blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, and cancer, and ease your hot flashes, insomnia, and irritability.
  • Getting enough sleep, at least seven to eight hours a night. This can help you restore your energy, mood, and memory, and prevent fatigue, mood swings, and cognitive decline. You can improve your sleep quality by following a regular bedtime routine, avoiding naps, and keeping your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet.
  • Practicing relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, or massage. These can help you calm your mind, body, and emotions, and cope with stress, anxiety, and depression. You can also join a support group, talk to a therapist, or seek help from your friends and family.

Summary

Perimenopause is the transition phase before menopause, when your ovaries produce less hormones and your periods become irregular. Perimenopause can cause various symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, insomnia, vaginal dryness, and decreased libido. A perimenopause test can help you determine if you are in perimenopause by measuring your FSH and estrogen levels. However, if you are using birth control, it may interfere with your perimenopause test and your symptoms. You should consult your doctor about your birth control options, and how to switch or stop your birth control in perimenopause. You should also consider other treatments for your perimenopause symptoms, such as hormone therapy, herbal remedies, or lifestyle changes.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You should always consult your doctor before making any decisions about your health and well-being. You should also follow the instructions and warnings on the label of any product or medication that you use. The information in this article is based on the current research and knowledge available at the time of writing, and may not reflect the latest developments or updates. The author and the publisher are not liable for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in this article.