ORAL-CONTRACEPTIVE USE DURING THE PERIMENOPAUSAL YEARS

Few guidelines exist for the use of estrogen, particularly low-dose or al contraceptives, during the perimenopausal years. Use of low-dose or al contraceptive pills in women over 35 years of age provides protecti on against unwanted pregnancy, maintains a stable hormonal environment and decreases abnormal menstrual bleeding. Other noncontraceptive hea lth benefits of oral contraceptives include a reduction in bone loss a nd protection against iron deficiency anemia, dysmenorrhea, benign bre ast disease, endometrial cancer and epithelial ovarian cancer. This ar ticle discusses potential risks of oral contraceptive use in this age group, as well as recommendations about when and how to change from co ntraceptive therapy to postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy.