Can BC pills mask or postpone menopause?

[Anonymous]

I was wondering...if you have been on BC pills for years so you get a "period" every month as a result of the pills, will you just keep getting the pill-induced period forever or until you go off the pill? or does your pill-induced period fizzle out just like it would if you weren't on the pill? I guess I'm mostly interested if this is how it happens if you go through menopause early (age 40 or earlier).

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure about the periods, but my OB said that he had women who would take them up to menopause so that they would never get hot flashes or any of the other typical menopause problems.