If you’re in your 40s (or early 50s), having irregular periods, maybe dealing with hot flashes or sleep changes, and wondering:
“Do I really still need birth control?”
You are not alone—and the answer is often yes.
At Sky Women’s Health, this is one of the most common (and most misunderstood) conversations we have with patients navigating perimenopause. Let’s break it down in a way that actually applies to you.
Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause, and it can last 5–10 years. Menopause itself isn’t reached until you’ve gone 12 full months without a period.
During perimenopause:
Hormones fluctuate wildly
Periods become irregular (skipped, closer together, heavier, lighter—you name it)
Ovulation becomes unpredictable
Here’s the key point: