Q: I am a 40 years old woman who had no periods for the last 10 months. I have done all the tests including pelvis ultrasonography and colposcopy; all the reports were normal. My ultrasonography report states - no follicle seen in ovary. The doctor says that it is premature menopause as I took Triquilar for two and a half year and stopped taking it last year. But there was no problem at that time. Otherwise also I am having no menopausal symptoms like hot flushes or irritation. What precautions should I take? Can I have unprotected sex?

A:Safer not to have unprotected sex till menopause sets in. You can either go back to Triquilar if there are no high risk factors like obesity, hypertension, diabetes, smoking or history of strokes/ peptic ulcer. The other options are an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) like cuT/multiload/ condoms + cream (Non-oxynol-9) / three monthly Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA) injections. You would be able to judge which one suits your lifestyle the best.