[Health Column] Stopping Periods in Your 40s: What Is the Difference Between Yaz and Menopausal Hormone Therapy?

 

hello, Director Lee Hyo-jin of Lee Hyo-jin Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic It is. 🌸

 

Have you been worried because your period suddenly decreased or stopped as you entered your 40s?

 

"Have I gone through menopause already?", "Should I start taking nutritional supplements or hormone therapy right away?" Whenever there is a change in my monthly period, a sudden wave of anxiety washes over me. 🥺

 

Recently, a new menopause hormone treatment Anjenojeong With the introduction of this, existing birth control pills Yaz Many people have started wondering what the difference is.

 

Both drugs contain the same ingredient (drospirenone), so it is easy to mistake them for similar medications, but A drug that is completely different in terms of treatment purpose, dosage, and administration method That is it. I will summarize it for you easily and clearly today. ✨

 

 

 

1️⃣ If your period stops in your 40s, is it considered 'premature menopause'?

Menstrual changes in the 40s are clearly distinguished by medical diagnoses based on age group.

 

If menstrual intervals widen or stop in your 40s, it is commonly lumped together as 'premature menopause,' but medically, it is clearly distinguished based on age.

 

🔹 Under 40 years old — Cases where ovarian function is reduced Premature Ovarian Failure (POI) diagnosed as
🔹 under 40 to 45 years old — Cases where ovarian function is lost Early menopause Classified as
🔹 Around 45 years old — Natural Menopausal transition (menopause) I view the possibility highly.

 

👉 Actual Case
Ms. A, 42, was anxious suspecting premature menopause after missing her period for two months, but a thorough examination confirmed it was due to a temporary hormonal imbalance. The cessation of menstruation does not immediately confirm menopause.

💡 If changes in your period occur, you must first check for the possibility of pregnancy, and then comprehensively examine the duration of the amenorrhea, medications being taken, weight changes, and whether you have had surgery. If necessary Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, thyroid function, and prolactin tests and confirm the exact cause with a pelvic ultrasound. 🩺

 

 

2️⃣ Yaz, Anzeno, and Angelic: Why are they different medications even though they have the same active ingredient?

Although they contain common ingredients, birth control pills and menopausal hormone medications have different fundamental purposes.

 

"You are asking, 'Both Yaz and Anzeno contain 'drospirenone,' but looking only at the dosage numbers, isn't Anzeno the stronger drug?'"

 

You cannot compare the strength of two drugs based solely on the milligram (mg) number. 🙅‍♀️

 

division	Yazjeong 🌸	Anzeno Tablets · Angelic Tablets 🌿
Category of medicine	Combined oral contraceptives	Continuous combination menopausal hormone therapy
Estrogen	Ethinyl estradiol 0.02 mg	Estradiol 1mg
progestin	Drospirenone 3mg	Drospirenone 2 mg
Dosage composition	24 active tablets + 4 placebos	All 28 tablets are active tablets (take daily)
Basic purpose	Ovulation suppression and pregnancy prevention	Supplementing insufficient estrogen
Contraceptive effect	Available (High reliability)	None (Cannot be taken for contraceptive purposes)

 

👉 Easy to understand
Yaz's 'ethinyl estradiol' and Anzeno's 'estradiol' are different substances. Yaz prevents pregnancy by suppressing ovulation. birth control pills And, Anzeno and Angelic replenish female hormones that have become deficient due to menopause. remedy It is. ⚡

 

💡 It is not appropriate for someone who needs contraception to take Anzeno, or for someone who needs menopausal hormone replacement to take Yaz indiscriminately. What I need right now is... Whether it is 'contraception and menstruation control' or 'hormone replacement' Distinguishing comes first. ⚠️

 

3️⃣ Is Anzeno a completely new hormone combination?

It is an identical active ingredient treatment with the same active ingredient and dosage as the existing Angelic tablets.

 

Anjenojeong Estradiol 1mg + Drospirenone 2mg It is a continuous combination menopausal hormone therapy containing [ingredient], and is a drug approved in June 2025 as a generic version of Angelic tablets with the same active ingredient.

 

Rather than a completely new combination or mechanism of action being developed, within the existing widely used estradiol and drospirenone treatment category One more option has been added It is accurate to understand it as such. 💡

 

👉 Viewing things from an evidence-based perspective
Effects such as improvement in facial flushing, endometrial protection, and bone density are based on existing research results accumulated with the 'Estradiol 1mg + Drospirenone 2mg' combination, rather than studies conducted solely on this product. Instead of making sensational claims that "a specific new drug is superior to other products," please consult a specialist to select the formulation suitable for you.

 

 

4️⃣ How are Anzeno, Angelic, Femoston Conti, and Creamen different?

There are differences in the type of progestogen and the method of administration (sequential vs. sequential).

 

🔸 Angelic
Estradiol 1mg + Drospirenone 2mg (take daily without a break)

 

🔸 Femoston Conti
Estradiol 1mg + Didrogesterone 5mg (take daily without breaks)

 

🔸 Cream
Estradiol Valerate + Cyproterone Acetate (21 days of use, then a 7-day break)

 

👉 Differences in bleeding methods
Continuous combination therapy (Angeno/Femostone Conti) — Take daily without regular monthly bleeding (mild irregular bleeding may occur initially)
Sequential therapy (Creemen) — Menstrual-like bleeding during the 7-day break after taking for 21 days

💡 You must not choose your medication on your own or change it arbitrarily just because your period has become irregular. Since the timing of treatment initiation and recommended conditions vary by product, a consultation with a specialist is mandatory. ⚠️

 

5️⃣ What criteria should women in their 40s use when choosing medication?

The need for contraception, age, presence of a uterus, and underlying medical conditions must be comprehensively reviewed.

 

✨ 4 Checklists for Choosing Medication

 

1️⃣ Do you still need contraception?

Even if you are in your mid-40s, there is a possibility of pregnancy if ovulation remains irregular. Reliable contraception If you need it and are in good health to take combined oral contraceptives, you can consider medications like Yaz.

 

⚠️ Birth control pills may be restricted or contraindicated for smokers aged 35 or older, or those with high blood pressure, obesity, migraine with aura, or a history of blood clots.

 

2️⃣ Is estrogen supplementation more important than contraception?

If the primary goal is to treat menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disorders, and vaginal dryness, consider menopausal hormone therapy (Anzeno, Femoston Conti, Creamen, etc.).

 

3️⃣ Is it premature ovarian failure (POI) before age 40?

For POIs under the age of 40, sufficient estrogen supplementation until menopause is recommended for the protection of bone density and overall health. Individual judgment is required as to whether the dose of Anzenor/Angelic (1 mg) is sufficient.

 

4️⃣ Whether to preserve the uterus and preferred method of bleeding?

Women with a uterus must use appropriate progestogens to protect the endometrium, and the medication varies depending on whether monthly bleeding is desired.

 

6️⃣ Things to check at the hospital before getting a prescription

Assessment of the patient's individual cardiovascular and blood clot risks comes before the name of the medication.

 

📌 Essential Pre-checklist

· Possibility of pregnancy and need for contraception
· Smoking status (especially 35 years or older)
· Blood pressure, weight, presence or absence of migraine with aura
· Personal and family history of venous thromboembolism
· Presence of breast or endometrial diseases and vaginal bleeding of unknown cause
· Liver and kidney function and current medications

⚠️ Special Precautions
Drospirenone has potassium-sparing properties, so a preliminary examination is mandatory before prescription if you have kidney or adrenal function issues or are taking medication that raises blood potassium levels long-term. You must not arbitrarily switch to menopausal hormones simply because your periods have shortened while taking Yaz, nor should you take menopausal hormones for contraceptive purposes. 🙅‍♂️

 

💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. My menstrual flow has decreased significantly while taking Yaz. Can I just switch to Anzeno?

 

A. You must absolutely not switch arbitrarily. Yaz is a birth control pill that suppresses ovulation, while Anzeno is a hormone replacement therapy; their purposes of action are completely different. You must switch after a specialist examines whether you currently need contraception and assesses the level of your ovarian function.

 

Q2. If I take Angelon or Angelic, does it also serve as contraception?

 

A. No. Anzeno and Angelique are treatments that replenish estrogen deficient after menopause, and It does not provide contraceptive effects. If you are in your 40s and still have the potential to ovulate, you should use a separate method of contraception or consult with your doctor.

 

Q3. I've heard that drospirenone is good for reducing swelling. Can I take it to treat edema?

 

A. No. Although they possess some anti-aldosterone (water retention inhibiting) properties, menopausal hormone therapy is not a blood pressure medication or a swelling reducer. It is not advisable to choose hormone therapy solely for the improvement of simple edema.

 

🎯 Conclusion and Specialist's Advice

The cessation or changes in menstruation in one's 40s are a natural process that anyone can experience, but Taking just any medication without an accurate diagnosis is dangerous You can do it. 💧

 

🔹 Menstrual changes in the 40s vary by age and condition POI / Early Menopause / Menopausal Transition It is divided into.
🔹 Even though Yaz (birth control pill) and Anzenor/Angelic (menopausal hormone drugs) have the same ingredient name A drug with a completely different purpose no see.
🔹 You need to find the right medication for you based on your age, need for contraception, cardiovascular risk, and whether or not you have a uterus.

 

If you notice any abnormalities in your menstrual patterns, we recommend that you do not hesitate to visit an OB/GYN for accurate hormone testing and consultation.

 

We wish you a healthy life. 🌿✨

 

 

 

 

Lee Hyo-jin OB/GYN

Chief Director Lee Hyo-jin

Graduated from Konkuk University School of Medicine

Fellow and Clinical Professor of Gynecological Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hanyang University

 

Former Director of Yunho Hospital

Former Director of Jangse Women's Hospital

Former Director of Dream Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic

 

Regular member of the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Regular member of the Korean Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health

Regular member of the Korean Menopause Society

Regular member of the Korean Society of Sexual Medicine

Current Chief Director of Lee Hyo-jin Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic

 

 

 

 

 

 

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