Pregnency and Birth Control.

1.How does a woman become pregnant?
Answer: A woman usually becomes pregnant after having sexual intercourse. This is where a man puts his erect penis inside a woman's vagina. The friction caused by moving his penis in and out of her vagina will cause him to get increasingly excited until eventually he ejaculates (or 'comes') and releases a sticky white substance called semen. This semen contains millions of tiny sperm cells, which then swim up the woman's vagina, into her uterus (womb) and then into her fallopian tubes where they may join with the tiny egg that she releases from one of her ovaries every month. If this 'joining' (also known as fertilisation or conception) occurs, then she will become pregnant.

2.I'm pregnant! What can I do?
Answer: If you were planning to get pregnant, then finding out you're expecting a baby can be a wonderful surprise. However, if you weren't, it is more likely to be a big shock. The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone, and you do have more than one option. The first thing you should do is go to your doctor or your local sexual health or family planning clinic. They will be able to discuss your options with you and help you to decide what to do next. Whether you decide to keep the baby, put it up for adoption or have an abortion (in places where it's legal), it's essential that you do what's right for you and don't feel pressurised into making a decision.

3.How does pregnancy happen?
Answer: It’s basic biology. During sexual intercourse, a man ejaculates semen into a woman’s vagina. Semen is a white, sticky fluid that contains sperm, which can fertilize a female’s egg. The sperm swim through the female’s cervix and uterus, into her fallopian tubes, where eggs are released from her ovaries. If she has recently ovulated, or released an egg, then the sperm can swim into the egg and start a pregnancy. Ovulation happens once a month.An egg can live and be fertilized for about 24 to 36 hours. Sperm can live for up to five days. That means a couple can have intercourse on Saturday. The girl could ovulate on Wednesday, and the sperm could find an egg on Thursday. Once the sperm and egg connect, its called a blastocyst. The blastocyst travels along the fallopian tube, dividing and changing as it goes, and eventually lands in the uterus. The lining of the uterus is full of blood and tissue. This nutrient-rich lining gives the blastocyst something to attach to. Once that happens, the pregnancy has taken root. The blastocyst becomes a mass of cells that divide and develop into an embryo. The embryo, in turn, becomes a fetus over the next nine months.If egg and sperm fail to connect, the egg dies. With no pregnancy, the lining of the uterus disintegrates. This lining becomes a female’s period or menstruation.

4. My fiance recently had a semen analysis done. He was told his sperm count was good, but his morphology was poor. What does this mean? Can it be treated?
Answer :Sperm morphology is routinely evaluated as part of a standard semen analysis. Morphology indicates the percentage of sperm that appear normal when semen is viewed under a microscope. Poor sperm morphology — less than 60 percent normal — may be a contributing factor in male infertility.Normal sperm have an oval head with a long tail. Abnormal sperm may have head or tail defects — such as a large or misshapen head or a crooked or double tail. These defects may impair the ability of the sperm to reach and fertilize the egg.Causes of abnormal morphology include:Testicular abnormalities that are present at birth (congenital) Enlargement of veins within the scrotum (varicocele) High fever Illicit drug use Infections The best recommendation is to repeat the semen analysis in four to six weeks to determine if the changes in morphology are temporary or permanent. Even with poor morphology, pregnancy may still be possible. Intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization methods are sometimes needed.

5.Can you get pregnant from pre-ejaculation fluid? How often does this happen?
Answer: Yes, a woman can get pregnant even when ejaculation doesn't occur within the vagina. This is because pre-ejaculation fluid may contain some sperm.Withdrawal of the penis from the vagina before ejaculation is one of the oldest methods of birth control. But fewer than 3 percent of adults in the United States use it as their primary method of contraception. The failure (pregnancy) rate is high. About 20 percent to 25 percent of women who rely on the withdrawal method become pregnant each year.

6.Sperm: How long do they live after ejaculation?
Answer: Sperm ejaculated into a woman's vagina remain alive in the mucus of the cervix and are able to fertilize an egg for three to five days. Sperm ejaculated outside the body usually live only a few hours.

7.How do sperm and an egg meet? - Sexual intercourse
Answer: Sperm and an egg can meet when a boy and a girl have sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse is when a boy's hard penis goes inside a girl's vagina, and he then ejaculates sperm through his penis.A boy is physically able to become a parent when he first starts to ejaculate sperm. A girl is physically able to become a parent when her ovaries start to produce eggs.

8.What happens to an egg if it meets with any sperm?
Answer: When an egg is released from a girl's ovaries it travels down inside one of her fallopian tubes towards the uterus or womb. Whilst this is happening the uterus starts to get ready for a fertilised egg by developing a thick lining. If the egg is fertilised on the way, then it settles in the uterus and this is where the baby starts to develop.

9.What happens to an egg if it does not meet with any sperm?
Answer: When the egg is not fertilised, there is no need for the thick lining of the uterus. The lining slowly begins to come away and flows through the cervix or "neck" of the uterus which connects the uterus to the vagina. It then comes out of the girl's body through the vagina. This is the blood that comes out when a girl has her period. As soon as a girl starts to have her period her ovaries start getting ready to release another egg. The length of time between one period and the next is the menstrual cycle.

10.How can I prevent pregnancy?
Answer: If you don't want to become pregnant, you will need to use contraception. There are lots of different forms of contraception available. The most well known are the contraceptive pill and the condom.

11.What are the chances of becoming pregnant from a single act of sex?
Answer: The likelihood of becoming pregnant from a single act of unprotected sex (for example, from a one night stand) varies from person to person, and also depends on the stage of a woman's menstrual cycle. The probability is highest around the time of ovulation (when the egg is released), when, on average, up to one third of women will become pregnant from having sex once.

12.What is the best way to get pregnant?
Answer: Many women spend much of their life trying not to get pregnant, and then find that when they actually try to have a baby, it takes a lot longer than they had hoped. If you are trying for a baby and don't get pregnant the first time you try, it is important not to panic. Many perfectly healthy women can take up to a year or more to become pregnant. Your best chance of getting pregnant will be if you have frequent sex around the time of ovulation. For women with a regular 28-day menstrual cycle, this will be approximately 14 days after the start of their last period, although it can vary from woman to woman. In some countries it may be possible to buy an ovulation testing kit from a chemist to help you work out when you're most fertile. If you continue to have problems, you should contact your doctor for advice. They will be able to refer you for tests to ensure that there are no physical problems that are preventing you from conceiving.

13.If a man pulls his penis out before he comes or doesn't put it in all the way, can a woman still get pregnant?
Answer: Unfortunately even if a man doesn't insert his penis all the way, or withdraws his penis before ejaculation, a woman can still become pregnant. This is because 'pre-cum' (the lubricating fluid that leaks out of a man's penis before and during sex) can contain sperm. If this fluid gets in or around a woman's vagina, it can find its way inside, and she can become pregnant.

14.Can a woman become pregnant as a result of anal sex?
Answer: A woman cannot become pregnant as a result of anal sex directly, although if any sperm leaks from the anus and enters the vagina, pregnancy could occur. Anal sex is therefore not the best way of avoiding pregnancy on a long term basis. It is better to use regular contraception such as the birth control pill or condoms. Anyone wanting to try anal intercourse should be 100% that their partner willing too, as the idea of anal sex makes many people very uncomfortable. It also carries a higher risk of transmission for HIV and other infections, so it is a good idea to use a condom if you do decide to try it.

15.Can a woman become pregnant through oral sex if she swallows sperm?
Answer: No, a woman cannot become pregnant as a result of oral sex even if she swallows. A woman can only become pregnant if sperm get inside her vagina.

16.Can sperm pass through clothes?
Answer: No, generally clothing acts as a barrier against sperm.

17.Are there any ways to tell if you are pregnant without using a pregnancy test?
Answer: The first sign of pregnancy is usually the absence of a period. Other symptoms of pregnancy can include tender breasts, nausea and tiredness but not everybody experiences these. If you suspect you are pregnant you should take a pregnancy test. This can be done at a clinic, or you can buy a home testing kit from most major supermarkets and pharmacies. If you use a home test kit it is important to get the result confirmed by your doctor or healthcare professional at a local clinic.

18.How long should I wait before carrying out a pregnancy test?
Answer: It depends on the type of test you buy. Most tests recommend testing on the day your period is due, although you can buy some that can detect the pregnancy hormone in your urine up to four or five days before this. Make sure you read the instructions thoroughly to find out how long you should wait. If you are not sure when your period is due, the best idea is to wait for at least a 10 days after having had unprotected sex before testing (although it is worth remembering that it can take up to nineteen days or more to show a positive result). If you get a negative result but your period still doesn't arrive, you should test again at three-day intervals, until your period starts or you get a positive result. The sooner you find out you are pregnant, the sooner you can start thinking about what to do next.

19.The test result was negative, but my period still hasn't arrived. Could I still be pregnant?
Answer: If you have tested too soon, then yes, you might still be pregnant. However if you are sure you haven't tested too soon, then it may well be stress that has delayed your period. Worrying about pregnancy (or anything else) can drive your stress hormones up, and this can in turn interfere with your menstrual cycle. If you have lost or gained a lot of weight recently, have undertaken lots of vigorous exercise or you have irregular periods generally, these could also be to blame. Girls who have only recently started their periods often experience very irregular cycles too, so if you've only been menstruating for a couple of years or less, try not to panic! If your period is more than a week or two late when you're normally regular however, you should probably think about seeing your doctor.

20.What is contraception?
Answer: Contraception is a method of preventing pregnancy. It is also known as 'birth control', although this is a more general term that includes complete abstinence from sex (the ultimate form of contraception!). Pregnancy happens when a man's sperm meets a woman's egg and fertilisation (also known as conception) occurs. Contraceptives stop this from happening, either by preventing the sperm from meeting with the egg, or by making conditions in the body unsuitable for fertilisation to occur.

21.What different types of contraception are there?
Answer: There are three main forms of contraceptives available: Barrier Methods, Hormonal Methods and Spermicides. Barrier methods physically stop sperm from entering a woman's uterus and fertilising her egg. Barrier methods include condoms (which are available for both men and women), the diaphragm, the cap and the Intrauterine Device (IUD or 'coil').Hormonal methods change the levels of hormones in a woman's body, making conception very difficult. Hormonal methods come in the forms of pills, patches, implants, rings, injections or the Intrauterine System (IUS).Spermicides are designed to kill sperm in the vagina. Spermicides come in the form of foams, gels or pessaries which are inserted straight into the vagina, are used on a condom or are contained in a special sponge that covers the cervix.

22.What is the best method of contraception to use?
Answer: If you are considering having sex with someone, it is important that you think about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) as well as pregnancy. If you don't know your partner's sexual history (or you are unsure about your own!), condoms are the best method to use as they protect against both pregnancy and STIs. If you are going to be having sex on a regular basis with your partner, it might also be advisable to think about using another form of birth control, just to be doubly sure that you are protected. This could be a hormonal method, or you could try a spermicide, (although it is important to note that spermicides used on their own or with a sponge are not a very effective method of contraception.) The IUD or IUS is another good option, although it is not always suitable for everyone (especially younger women) and will need to be fitted by a trained practitioner.Visiting your doctor or health adviser before you have sex is always a good idea, as it will enable you to choose the type of contraception that is best suited to you. It is important to find a reliable and safe method that both you AND your partner feel comfortable with, as the happier you both are to use it, the more effective it will be!

23.How long do you need to take the pill before it becomes effective?
Answer: The length of time it takes for the birth control to become completely effective as a sole contraceptive varies depending on the type of pill you use and when you start the packet of pills. You will usually need to use an alternative form of contraception (such as a condom) for at least seven days after starting, but your healthcare provider should be able to tell you exactly when the particular version of the pill you have been prescribed becomes fully effective against pregnancy. It will normally also say on the advice leaflet that comes with your pills. It is also worth remembering that taking other medications such as antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill, and your doctor may recommend that you use an additional form of protection during this time. Similarly, stomach upsets such as sickness and diarrhoea can affect the absorption of the pill, so again, using an additional method such as a condom can help make sure pregnancy doesn't occur.Using condoms as well as the birth control pill can protect both you and your partner from STIs as well as providing extra protection against pregnancy.

24.Does the pill have any side effects?
Answer: Some women do experience some side effects as a result of using the birth control pill. However, these side effects can vary from woman to woman. The most common ones are mood swings, weight gain, breast tenderness, nausea and headaches. Serious side effects are rare. When you visit your health care provider to obtain a prescription for the contraceptive pill they should ask you a few questions about your medical history. This helps them to make sure that they prescribe the type of pill that is best suited to you and hopefully reduce the possibility of any adverse side effects.If you do experience any problems, it is worth going back to see your healthcare provider as they may be able to change your pill for a different one.

25.If a girl has missed a pill what are the risks of pregnancy?
Answer: If a woman forgets to take a pill the risks of pregnancy will depend on the type of pill she is on. Progestrogen-only (or 'mini') pills that have to be taken at the same time every day are more likely to fail if one is missed. However, even the combined progestogen and oestrogen pill can allow pregnancy to occur if you forget to take it for a day or more. If you have missed a pill and are unsure what to do, you should talk to your doctor or healthcare provider to check. It may be necessary to use an additional form of contraception such as a condom for a while.

26.What is emergency contraception, how does it work and where can you get it?
Answer: There are two types of emergency contraception. Both are very effective in preventing pregnancy, but it is important for a woman to visit her healthcare provider or clinic as soon as possible after having sex to obtain them. The emergency contraceptive or 'morning after' pill is an oral contraceptive pill that can be obtained on prescription from you doctor or local sexual health clinic. It can also be bought over the counter in most large pharmacies . There are a few different types of morning-after-pills available, but most modern forms consist of a single tablet that is swallowed with water. For this method to be work, it must be taken within 3 days (72 hours) of having sex, although the sooner the pill is taken, the more likely it is to be effective.The IUD (Intrauterine Device) can also be used as an emergency method of contraception. The IUD must be fitted within five days of having sex for it to be effective, although this may not be a method that is suitable for everyone, and not all doctors are trained to fit them.

27.Is there a male contraceptive pill?
Answer: At the moment there is no birth control pill for men to take. Some companies are trying to develop a pill for men but it is still in the research and testing phase.

28.How long does it take for the Depo-Provera contraceptive injection to become effective against pregnancy?
Answer: Depo-Provera is an injectable contraceptive manufactured by Pharmacia and Upjohn. If the injection is given within the first five days of a girl's period it becomes effective immediately. If it is given after this, an additional method of contraception such as a condom should be used for 7 days. The injection needs to be repeated every 12 weeks.

29.What are side effects of injectable hormonal contraceptive?
Answer: The side effects of any form of contraception can vary from woman to woman. When you visit your healthcare provider or clinic to arrange contraception they should ask you a few questions about your medical history. This helps them to make sure that they prescribe the method of contraception that is best suited to you and hopefully reduce the possibility of any adverse side effects. Serious side effects are rare, but you may experience side effects such as disturbance in your usual monthly cycle, mood changes, possible weight gain and fluid retention.Also, it is important to remember that injectable hormonal contraceptives cannot be stopped or changed as quickly as some other methods.

30.Is there a shot that men can have?
Answer: No, an injectable hormonal contraceptive for men has not yet been developed.

31.What is an IUS or Mirena® coil?
Answer: IUS stands for Intrauterine System. It is also known as a Mirena® coil. It is similar to the IUD (or 'coil') in that it is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. However, unlike the IUD, it also contains a slow release hormone called Progestin which thins the lining of the uterus and thickens the mucus of the cervix to further decrease the risk of pregnancy (a Mirena® coil is over 99% effective if fitted properly). It is also a better option for women who suffer from heavy periods, as it can make them lighter or even stop them altogether. However it can have similar side effects to the contraceptive pill.

32.If you plan to have a baby, how soon after stopping the birth control pill can you conceive?
Answer: One of the advantages of the birth control pill is that it's quickly reversible. After you stop taking the pill, you may have only a two-week delay before you ovulate again. Your period would follow about four to six weeks after you take the last pill.Once ovulation resumes, you can become pregnant. If this happens during your first cycle off the pill, you may not have a period at all. However, although possible, this scenario isn't likely.

33.Can you use ordinary birth control pills continuously to prevent having a period?
Answer: It's possible to prevent your period with continuous use of any birth control pill. This means skipping the placebo pills and starting right away on a new pack. Some evidence suggests an advantage to this type of pill regimen. By continuously taking the pill, you prevent hormonal fluctuations that are responsible for bleeding, cramping, headaches and other discomforts associated with getting your period. However, you're at greater risk of breakthrough bleeding — bleeding between periods. Continuous use of your birth control pills works best if you're taking a monophasic pill — with the same hormone dose in the three weeks of active pills. If you're taking a triphasic pill — with a different hormone dose each week of the active pill phase — using them continuously carries a much higher rate of breakthrough bleeding.You may find continuous use of birth control pills a convenient way to avoid having your period during an important occasion or trip. Taking a monthly regimen birth control pill continuously is fine for about three months, but then you should plan on taking the placebo pills so that you'll have a menstrual cycle.

34.How do pills that eliminate some or all your periods differ from other birth control pills?
Answer: Traditional birth control pills make your reproductive system mimic a regular 28-day monthly cycle. For the first 21 days, you take active pills containing reproductive hormones. For the last seven days, you take a placebo. While you're taking the placebo pills, you bleed vaginally, as if you were having a regular menstrual period.By contrast, extended-cycle birth control pills contain active hormones for every day of the month. The newest extended-cycle regimen, Lybrel, is a low-dose pill that's designed to be taken continuously for one year, with no breaks for hormone-free intervals. Lybrel is meant to suppress all menstrual bleeding.Two other specially designed, extended-cycle pill regimens — Seasonale and Seasonique — are also currently on the market. With both pills, you take active hormone pills every day for three months, then you take one week of placebo pills (Seasonale) or low-dose estrogen pills (Seasonique). You'll experience menstrual bleeding during that week.

35.Is there an advantage to waiting a few months after stopping the pill before trying to conceive?
Answer: For the purpose of dating the pregnancy — estimating when you ovulated and when your baby is due — it's somewhat advantageous to have at least one normal period before conceiving.In the past, doctors had concerns that if you conceived immediately after stopping the pill, you had a higher risk of miscarriage. However, these concerns have proved to be largely unfounded.If you plan to wait a few months, use a backup form of birth control while your menstrual cycles get back to normal.

36.What happens if you stop taking the birth control pill but your period doesn't resume?
Answer: When you stop using the birth control pill but you don't get a period for several months, you may have what's known as post-pill amenorrhea. The pill prevents your body from making hormones involved in ovulation and menstruation. When you stop taking the pill, it can take some time for your body to return to normal production of these hormones.Typically, your period should start again within three months after you stop taking the pill. Most women ovulate promptly and have a period within four to six weeks. But some women, especially those who took the pill to regulate their menstrual cycles, may not have a period for many months.If you don't have a period within three months, take a pregnancy test to make sure you're not pregnant. If after six months you still don't have a period, see your doctor.

37.Will a pregnancy test be accurate if you're taking the birth control pill?
Answer: You can get accurate results from a pregnancy test while you're on the pill. Pregnancy tests work by measuring a specific pregnancy-related hormone — human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) — in your blood or urine. The active ingredients in birth control pills don't affect how a pregnancy test measures the level of HCG in your system.

38.What happens if you take birth control pills while you're pregnant?
Answer: If you continued taking your birth control pill because you didn't realize you were pregnant, don't be alarmed. Despite years of this accident happening, there's very little evidence that exposure to the hormones in birth control pills causes birth defects.Still, the birth control pill is a potent estrogen. Lessons learned from women who took diethylstilbestrol — a synthetic estrogen that was later linked with cancer — to prevent miscarriage in early pregnancy suggest that such exposure should be minimized.Once you learn that you're pregnant, stop taking the birth control pill.

39.Can you use several birth control pills at once for emergency contraception?
Answer: It's possible to use standard estrogen-progestin birth control pills for emergency contraception, but check with your doctor for the proper dose and timing of the pills.There is a special type of contraceptive pill that's specifically designed to keep you from becoming pregnant if you've had unprotected vaginal intercourse. An emergency contraception pill (Plan B) — also called the "morning-after pill" — contains a higher dose of progestin than is found in other birth control pills and is available over-the-counter for women age 18 and older. Otherwise, check with your doctor, local emergency room or Planned Parenthood clinic if you're in need of emergency contraception.

40.If you've been taking birth control pills for many years and decide to stop, can you stop at any time or should you finish your current pill packet?
Answer: In terms of your overall health, it makes little difference when you stop taking the pill. When you finally do stop the pill, you can expect some bleeding, which may change the rhythm of your menstrual cycle. But you can stop at any time.

41.Can you get pregnant during the week that you take the nonactive (placebo) pills?
Answer: Taking the nonactive pills doesn't put you at higher risk of unintended pregnancy. If you're taking your birth control pills exactly as directed, they're 98 percent to 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. If, however, you've missed a dose — or several doses — of your birth control pills during a cycle, you might be at higher risk of unintended pregnancy during that cycle. To be safe, use a backup form of contraception, such as a condom.

42.Do birth control pills cause weight gain?
Answer: Women often blame the birth control pill for weight gain. But studies have shown that the effect of the birth control pill on weight is small — if it exists at all.However, the way the hormones in birth control pills act on tissues in your breasts, hips and thighs can make you feel as if you've gained weight. This is usually due to fluid retention and not increased body mass or fat. Estrogen in birth control pills directly affects fat (adipose) cells, making them larger, but not greater in number.In very rare circumstances women may add muscle, which can add weight, when taking the pill. This is due to the slight male-sex-hormone effect that the pill may have on some women.But no matter if pill-related weight gain is perceived or real, many women find this side effect undesirable. Taking pills with a low dose of estrogen may diminish these effects, but you may also experience a greater risk of spotting between periods.

43.How do birth control pills affect your risk of cancer?
Answer: Scientific evidence suggests using birth control pills for longer periods of time increases your risk of some cancers, such as cervical cancer and liver cancer, but it also decreases your risk of other types of cancer, including ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer.The effect of birth control pills on breast cancer risk isn't quite clear. However, some studies do show a link between pill use and breast cancer. Key factors seem to be how many years you take the pill and how recently you last used the pill. In one study, use of birth control pills led to a higher risk of premenopausal breast cancer in women who took the pill for four or more years before having a baby. Other evidence suggests that 10 or more years after you stop taking the pill, your breast cancer risk returns to the same level as if you had never taken birth control pills.

44.Do birth control pills affect cholesterol levels?
Answer: Birth control pills can affect cholesterol levels. How much of an effect depends on the type of pill you're taking and what concentration of estrogen or progestin it contains.The estrogen in birth control pills causes an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels (the "good" cholesterol), a decrease in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels (the "bad" cholesterol) and an increase in your total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Progestin in birth control pills has the opposite effect.Birth control pills with a greater concentration of estrogen can have a slightly beneficial overall effect on your blood lipid levels. In general, though, the changes aren't significant and don't affect your overall health.

45.Do birth control pills affect blood pressure?
Answer: Birth control pills may increase blood pressure. The risk of high blood pressure in women who take birth control pills also increases with age and the duration of use.If you take birth control pills, have your blood pressure checked regularly. If you already have high blood pressure, consider an alternative form of birth control. If you do choose to take the pill, have your blood pressure closely monitored by your doctor.If you develop high blood pressure while taking the pill, give serious thought to switching to another form of contraception.

46.What's the risk of smoking if you're over age 35 and taking birth control pills?
Answer: Birth control pills aren't recommended for women over age 35 who smoke because it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. If you're 35 or older, and you smoke, you need to quit smoking before you can safely continue using your birth control pill.

47.Can antibiotics decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills?
Answer: The effects of antibiotics on birth control pills may be overstated — except in the case of one antibiotic, rifampin. Studies clearly show that rifampin decreases the effectiveness of birth control pills in preventing ovulation. However, rifampin isn't a widely used antibiotic. Chances are you wouldn't be taking it unless you had tuberculosis or had tested positive for the disease.Hypothetically speaking, other antibiotics, particularly penicillin and tetracycline derivatives, could impair the effectiveness of birth control pills. However, no large studies have proved such an effect.Researchers can't rule out the possibility that a small percentage of women may experience decreased effectiveness of birth control pills while taking an antibiotic. And if you're taking a newer, extremely low-dose oral contraceptive, you could be more susceptible to these potential effects from antibiotics. If you're concerned, consider using a barrier method of contraception for the duration of your antibiotic prescription.

48.Do birth control pills prevent or delay menopause?
Answer: A woman still goes through menopause even if she is taking birth control pills. But she may not know it.Menopause occurs naturally when your ovaries stop making estrogen and progesterone. Eventually your menstrual periods stop, and you can no longer become pregnant. Signs and symptoms of decreased production of estrogen and progesterone include hot flashes, sleep disturbances and vaginal dryness.A menopausal woman taking birth control pills continues to get enough estrogen and progestin from the pills and will not realize her ovaries are no longer making these hormones. Her periods will continue, although she can no longer get pregnant. Menstruation occurs during the placebo week of the pill regimen. And she may have no symptoms of menopause because the pill continues to deliver more than adequate amounts of estrogen and progestin.If you are taking the pill and are older than age 50, consider stopping oral contraceptive use. Discuss with your doctor how you can determine whether menopause has occurred and what alternatives there are for contraception if you still need it. When you no longer need contraception, hormone therapy is a better option for managing uncomfortable menopausal vasomotor symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats.