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The use of hormonal contraception can suppress menopausal symptoms because it affects your natural hormonal balance. On this page, you can read what this means, which symptoms may be associated with it, and which steps you might consider.

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What does hormonal contraception do to your hormones?

Hormonal contraception, such as the pill, contains hormones that suppress your natural cycle. As a result, you rely less on your own hormone levels, and signs of menopause often remain hidden. Even a monthly bleed while using the pill does not indicate where your body is in the menopausal phase. Read more about how the pill can influence menopause.

Menopausal symptoms can manifest in different ways

Even if you use hormonal contraception, menopausal symptoms can still occur. The pill suppresses hormonal fluctuations and can mask signs of menopause. Since the bleeding you experience while on the pill is artificial, it does not reflect your natural cycle. However, some women may still experience symptoms such as changes in mood, sleep, or energy. Below is an overview of common symptoms that may be associated with this.

Understand your menopause symptoms and discover what you can do

I was taking the pill and didn’t immediately think of menopause. By reading up on it, I realised that my symptoms had only started recently, which provided more context.
Marieke47 years

What can you do about menopausal symptoms?

If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to menopause, gaining insight into what is happening in your body can be helpful. The type of support that is appropriate varies from woman to woman and depends on the nature and severity of the symptoms.

Many women benefit from paying attention to lifestyle and nutrition. In some cases, supplements such as vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3 can also provide support. Reliable information about this can be found on our website.

If you want to go beyond general information, an intake consultation can help map out your situation carefully. A doctor can work with you to determine which support is most suitable, such as whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT), specifically developed for menopause, might be an appropriate option in your case.

Treatments for menopause symptoms

Many women experience symptoms during menopause. Fortunately, there are things you can do. Various treatments are available, depending on your personal preferences and medical history. If you have several symptoms, a combination of treatments is often the best approach. Below are the options and how they compare: 

Hormone therapy

A single treatment for multiple menopause symptoms

Effectiveness

  • Extensive scientific evidence
  • Risk of side effects 
  • Safe to use
  • Very fast-acting 
  • Prescription-only 

Hormone-free

Treatment for individual symptoms, alternative to hormone therapy

Effectiveness

  • Extensive scientific evidence 
  • Risk of side effects 
  • Very safe to use 
  • Fast-acting 
  • Prescription-only 

Supplements

Natural and hormone-free

Effectiveness

  • Growing scientific evidence 
  • Very low risk of side effects 
  • Very safe to use 
  • Takes weeks to months to take effect 
  • Available over the counter 

Diet & Lifestyle

The foundation for a healthy body

Effectiveness

  • Scientific evidence  
  • No side effects 
  • Very safe 
  • Supports overall health and the effectiveness of medication 
  • Takes weeks to months to see results

Experienced doctors and specialists

A range of expert doctors and specialists help you with information and personal advice. This ensures you receive accurate information, always verified by an expert in the field. This allows you to navigate menopause safely and responsibly.

FAQ

What exactly is menopause?
Can you be going through menopause while taking the pill?
What if I have symptoms, but I'm not sure they're due to menopause?