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Oral contraceptive use during the perimenopausal years
1Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
American Family Physician
|November 6, 1998
Summary
Low-dose oral contraceptives offer benefits for women over 35, including pregnancy prevention and reduced bleeding. They also protect against bone loss and certain cancers, with guidance on transitioning to hormone therapy.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Reproductive Health
- Menopause Management
Background:
- Limited guidelines exist for estrogen use, especially low-dose oral contraceptives (OCs), in perimenopausal women.
- Oral contraceptives are commonly used for contraception and offer various non-contraceptive health benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the benefits and risks of low-dose oral contraceptive use in women over 35.
- To provide recommendations for managing contraceptive therapy and transitioning to postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on oral contraceptive use in perimenopausal women.
- Analysis of non-contraceptive health benefits and potential risks associated with OCs in this age group.
Main Results:
- Low-dose OCs provide reliable contraception, hormonal stability, and reduce abnormal menstrual bleeding in women over 35.
- Non-contraceptive benefits include reduced bone loss, protection against iron deficiency anemia, dysmenorrhea, benign breast disease, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer.
Conclusions:
- Low-dose oral contraceptives are a viable option for women over 35 seeking contraception and experiencing perimenopausal symptoms.
- Recommendations are provided for the safe and effective use of OCs and the subsequent transition to postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy.