WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for July, 2001: Re: Long term use of BCP question

Re: Long term use of BCP question

From: William McIntosh, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 24 Jul 2001 13:51:09 -0500 (CDT)

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At Tue, 24 Jul 2001, N. wrote: >
>Good afternoon,
>
>I have been on BCP for a long time, about 10 years now. I am 34 years old.
>I was diagnosted with "probable" PCOS 11 years ago; "probable" because they
>couldn't see any cysts on my ovaries during the ultrasound, nor did I have
>abnormal hormonal results. But I have all the PCOS symptoms: very long
>menstrual cycles, hirsutism, obesity, etc.
>
>My question is this. After being on the BCP for this long, can it be safe to
>continue taking it until menopause? The last time I discussed this with my GP,
>she I thought she mentionned that it was now perfectly okay to go on taking the
>pill until menopause. But now that I'm gonna be 35 soon, I am a little worried.
>I would like to continue taking it, as I have now a fairly regular and problem
>free mentrual cycle, with very few side effects. I am very overweight, do not
>smoke or drink.
>
>Also, if I discontinued the pill, what would my cycle be like now? I am afraid
>to stop the BCP because of the fear of getting all kinds of menstrual problems.
>I also would like to know how does menopause manifests itself when we are on
>BCP? I have been getting some night sweats about a week or so before the
>scheduled "week off" the pill for some time now. Not every month, but about 1
>out of 2. Is this a sign of peri-menopause?
>
>I have been on OrthoCyclen for a long time, and am now on Alesse.
>
>Thank you for your time and attention,
>N. Dion

With modern low dosage pills, it is considered safe to take the pill right up to menopause as long as there is not history of high blood pressure, diabetes, or deep vein thrombosis. Obesity is a relative contraindication, but since your cycles would likely return to their original irregular, unpredicatable state, the minimal risks may well be worth it. Menopause is obscured while taking the pill. Your current symptoms are related to not having the hormones of the pill during the placebo week.

-- William D. McIntosh, MD, FACOG

This is for educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for consultation and examination by a licensed medical professional.

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