Can Oral Contraceptive (Birth Control) Pills be used as Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Can oral contraceptive or birth control pills be used as Menopausal Hormone Therapy? Yes, BUT they may not be your best option.

Oral contraceptive pills were made to suppress ovulation and the dose required for that is much higher than that required to manage menopausal symptoms. This means that by taking birth control pills, you may be consuming a dose of hormones much higher than what you need.
Contraceptive pills contain synthetic hormones as compared to bio-identical options available to us today for menopausal hormone therapy.
Birth control pills need to be taken orally, as opposed to the option of using bio-identical estrogen transdermally in the form of gels, sprays and patches.

But birth control pills may be the answer for some.

Bottomline, it's important to explore all your options and discuss them with your doctor before you decide which (and if any) option is best for you.