The Pill After 40: Friend, Foe, or Just a Temporary Fix?
- Kary Florez
- Apr 3, 2025
- 3 min read
Should You Take Birth Control Pills During Perimenopause?
For more than 60 years, women have been told The Pill is the golden ticket. First as teenagers, then through childbearing years, and now even as we slide into perimenopause. It’s been sold to us as contraception, acne treatment, period regulator, and even a way to “smooth over” symptoms until we’re ready for hormone therapy.
But here’s the thing: women have also been told our periods are dangerous, our symptoms inconvenient, and that the solution is always in a little pack of pills from Big Pharma. I’ve never loved the idea of outsourcing my hormones to a pharmaceutical company. Still—The Pill can make sense for some women in this stage of life. The trick is knowing when it’s useful, when it’s not, and how to support your body if you do take it.
Why Some Women Choose The Pill in Perimenopause
Regulates heavy bleeding that can feel like a crime scene every month
Prevents surprise pregnancies (yes, fertility doesn’t vanish overnight)
Eases fibroid pain that can spike in our 40s
Smooths out hormonal chaos that makes moods, sleep, and energy unpredictable
Clears up midlife acne (because nobody asked for pimples and hot flashes)
The Downsides Nobody Advertises
Yes, The Pill can be convenient. But here’s the other side of the story: check all the common side effects of the birth control pill:
And don’t forget: your liver is on overtime processing those synthetic hormones 😔
My Advice If You’re on The Pill
If you decide birth control pills are right for you—whether for now or just for a season—there are smart ways to reduce the side effects and keep your body supported:
Go low. Ask for the lowest effective dose and only stay on it as long as you really need it.
Back it up with nutrients. A high-quality multivitamin rich in B vitamins helps your liver and metabolism keep up.
Limit sugar and alcohol. Both throw gasoline on the hormonal fire and make symptoms worse.
Eat for stability. A nutrient-dense, low-glycemic diet with protein, good fats, and real carbs helps your body balance sex hormones and avoid weight gain.
Move often. Cardio, strength training, and calming practices like yoga or deep breathing all help regulate hormones and mood.
Don’t neglect pleasure. Even if The Pill dampens libido, sex is still possible and enjoyable—it just might require planning.
Explore herbs. When you feel ready to come off, herbs like Pueraria mirifica or other menopause-support blends can ease the transition.
My Bottom Line
The Pill can be a tool—but it’s not a magic solution. Your body deserves more than autopilot. If you take it, support yourself with nutrition, movement, pleasure, and patience. And if you’re considering stepping away, know there are safe, supportive ways to do it without feeling like you’re falling off a cliff.
👉 That’s exactly what I help women with in my 1:1 coaching via the Florezka app. Together, we create a plan—whether you’re staying on The Pill, coming off it, or finding other ways to balance your hormones. Your cycle, your pace, your choice.
Book today a discovery call with me, and let's plan a way to get off the pill, or perhaps use a different hormonal method according to your needs
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