Menopause Symptoms & Birth Control: Understanding Your Options

Question
I recently went for my pap smear and talked to the doctor about symptoms of menapause.I'm 44 and having hot flashes and night sweats. she sugeested I go off the pill for a couple of months to see if I have periods. My concern is, while on the pill I'm still having periods. So if I go off the pill I take a chcance of getting pregnant. So should I wait untl I'm not having periods to go off the pill or will that continue until I quit taking the pills? I'm confused.  

Answer
The pill forces periods to happen even if your body is ready to quit.  So, you won't know if you are into peri-menopause until you quit the pill and see what's going on with your normal hormones.  It is conceivable that you could get pregnant but at your age it is not as likely as it was 20 years ago.  You will have to be aware of what you are doing and if you are concerned you can abstain or use another type of birth control.