Unless you smoke or have risk factors for heart disease, such as obesity or high blood pressure, yes. If you don't have any of these risk factors, low-dose birth control pills (those with 20 mcg of estrogen) are a good option for the years just prior to menopause—called the menopause transition or "perimenopause. Irregular or heavy periods can be common during perimenopause, and pills can help regulate them. Low-dose birth control pills also may prevent bone loss, potentially providing protection from bone disease.