Managing perimenopause: the case for OCs
OBG Management. 2002 May;14(05):49-59
May 1, 2002|ObGyn
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Perimenopausal patients—and their physicians—often view oral contraceptives with suspicion, believing the pills too risky for older women. But, the author argues, the evidence proves just the opposite.
Before initiating OC therapy, it is important to ascertain what misconceptions—if any—the patient has about their use and to counsel her about their likely side effects. Scheduling a follow-up visit at the end of the second cycle of pills is a good way of ensuring compliance and tailoring the therapy to the patient’s needs. Among the ways OC regimens can be adjusted is by extending the number of days that pills are taken—while reducing the pill-free interval to less than 7 days—to diminish side effects.
