60 seconds in menopause video transcript:
Is contraception necessary during perimenopause? We get asked this a lot. People are wondering if baby-making capability is still a thing when the periods are starting to get lighter or scrappier or far apart. The fact is you could still be ovulating.
Perimenopause is the transitional phase. So, between regular ovulation and periods, and menopause, the body wants to use up all the eggs not yet released from the ovaries. So, you'll have the odd spurt of activity that may or may not result in an egg being released, it might just give you a hot flush.
The official advice is to keep using contraception (to prevent pregnancy) for at least a year after your very last period. We say two years just to be really safe into menopause.
For women on HRT, the advice is exactly the same. You need to use contraception because HRT doesn't really work in the same way as hormonal contraceptives such as the pill or Mirena coil.
More advice and support for you
For more information on this topic, head over to my blog ‘Contraception in the menopause – when is it safe to stop using contraception & other questions’, where our menopause coach Eileen covers this question in more detail.
For perimenopause and menopause symptoms, you can try our Menopause Support tablets. This menopause supplement contains a combination of soy isoflavones, magnesium and hibiscus and can be used through all stages of menopause. However, this supplement is not suitable if you are on hormonal contraceptives, but can be taken with HRT.
You may also find these topics helpful:
Perimenopause periods: what’s normal and what’s not?
What are the signs that perimenopause is ending?
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