05/04/2026
MYTH MONDAY ๐ค
"If I am in perimenopause and do not need contraception, birth control pills are still the best way to even out my hormones..."
Rhonda and I definitely think this is a myth and here is why:
For simplicity, let's just focus on combination birth control pills (OCPs) and compare these to hormone replacement therapy (HRT):
First of all, the hormones in OCPs are synthetic and the hormones in HRT that we prescribe are bio-identical.
Most OCPs contain ethinyl estradiol & progestin. These are in higher doses to suppress ovulation and prevent pregnancy. They do not provide the same benefits that the components of HRT does.
HRT contains 17 beta estradiol and micronized progesterone. These are bio-identical to what is already present in the female body.
Since hormones fluctuate so drastically during perimenopause, causing "chaos", when we add back low dose HRT, it helps even out these drastic fluctuations.
Since HRT is bio-identical, the benefits are far superior to OCPs:
โจMicronized progesterone crosses the blood brain barrier, acts on the GABA receptors, and provides the benefits of improved sleep and mood stabilization
โจEstradiol provides protective benefits to so many organ systems whereas ethinyl estradiol in OCPs can actually increase risks such as blood clots
In summary, if you do not need contraception in perimenopause, then HRT is far superior for symptom relief and safer than OCPs.
