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Original poster

Do I really need contraception at my age?

98 replies

BigButtons · 04/03/2019 15:52

I'm 51- in a newish relationship after years of being single. I had the mirena fitted a month ago and have bled continuously every day since. I am getting to the point where I want it taken out.
Before the mirena I still had periods every month but surely at my age - in reality-nothing's going to stick anyway?

OP posts:

CMOTDibbler · 04/03/2019 15:54

If you don't want to be pregnant, then yes, you need contraception!

Lisette1940 · 04/03/2019 15:54

If you have the Mirena removed, then you would need to use contraception.

CluedoAddict · 04/03/2019 15:55

My Nan had my "surprise" Auntie at 54 .

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Drum2018 · 04/03/2019 15:55

Of course you could get pregnant at your age, especially if you were having periods. Unless you want another baby, be sensible and take some precautions. I believe the mirena takes a while to settle in so maybe give it a chance for another few weeks. If you're still not happy then have it removed but make sure you have a stash of condoms handy.

Lisette1940 · 04/03/2019 15:55

54!

unicorncow · 04/03/2019 15:56

It can take a while to settle down but yes you definitely need to use contraception if you don't want to get pregnant

TomorrowIsFree · 04/03/2019 15:56

54?

yikesanotherbooboo · 04/03/2019 15:59

As far as the mrena is concerned it is very early days, the bleeding settles over the first 2-3 months.
You need contraception for a year after your last period or until you are 55.
There are very few babies born to women in their 50s but miscarriages happen and it can all be very distressing.

whatsnewchoochoo · 04/03/2019 16:00

If it helps I bleed for a couple of months on and off with mirena but haven't had a period now in nearly 2 years - it's been brilliant.

C0untDucku1a · 04/03/2019 16:01

It is a new relationship. You need to be using condoms.

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 04/03/2019 16:16

You do need to let it settle but be warned - I bled continuously for ten months and then every two weeks for two weeks until I had it out. Hated it.

Original poster

BigButtons · 04/03/2019 16:30

Ill give it a bit more time. It's been every bloody day for a month now.
I'm just so sick of the whole period/contraception lark. I've got 6 kids and just want it to to be over with now.
I'll give it a little more time. Everytime I think it's petering off the bleeding starts back up again. Just as well new partner is very blasé about the mess- hardly sexy though. .

OP posts:

TeenTimesTwo · 04/03/2019 17:01

54! Are you sure it wasn't actually the baby of an unmarried older daughter?

MrsAmaretto · 04/03/2019 17:11

You are aware that STDs amongst the over 50s are increasing and a massive public health problem? Pregnancy is not your only worry with a new partner.

Use a condom. Both get tested for STDs before going without one.

Fairylea · 04/03/2019 17:15

Definitely use condoms until you’ve both been tested for STDs. People over 50 are one of the greatest groups for contracting STDs because they do not use condoms- then you don’t need to worry about pregnancy either!

Original poster

BigButtons · 04/03/2019 17:56

both tested for stds and both clear

OP posts:

moanyhole · 04/03/2019 21:53

My aunt had her 3rd at 51. Just saying...

Original poster

BigButtons · 05/03/2019 06:57

yeah- I know. Who am I kidding really?
Had my 6 dc within 8 years of each other, so I'm probably a likely candidate for pregnancy if I took a risk.
I was just hoping you might all come on a tell me otherwise.
Ah well onwards with the bloody(literally) mirena, let's hope I don't slowly bleed to death on it

OP posts:

Original poster

BigButtons · 06/03/2019 17:21

Spoke with my GP today. She has prescribed me mefenamic and Tranexamic acids to give me a break from the bleeding and see if they will knock it on the head. If that doesn't work we will try extra progesterone. Thank heavens for an understanding DR.

OP posts:

icannotremember · 06/03/2019 17:28

I've just had a google and apparently the oldest natural conception in the UK (and the world, allegedly) was to a woman who was 58- she gave birth aged 59!

Your GP sounds decent. I hope it works out.

Alconleigh · 06/03/2019 17:51

I'm 42 and not bothering. I was on the pill but not prepared to take it any more, have heard nothing but horror stories about the coil and think the chances of me getting pregnant are small enough that I'm prepared to chance withdrawal method etc. I don't have children and for various reasons don't think I have ever been very fertile even when a lot younger. So I certainly wouldn't be using it at a decade older but that's my risk to take and accept it might not be acceptable to others.

WhoNose21 · 06/03/2019 18:01

I worked with a woman who’d been with her DH for 30 years, never used contraception and never had a single whiff of a pregnancy. At 46 years old she went to the doctors as she thought she was starting the menopause due to lack of periods/weight gain... she was 17 weeks pregnant. The little girl is now 5 and her parents adore her but as you can imagine, it was SUCH a shock.

tryingtobeamum8 · 06/03/2019 18:04

I would say it's unlikely that at 51 you would carry a viable pregnancy but it's not worth the emotional stress of getting pregnant and potentially miscarrying/having to consider termination. I had the same thing with the Mirena coil when I had it in my 20s but it settled and then I had no problems. Now I'm doing my best to get pregnant haha!

Original poster

BigButtons · 06/03/2019 18:18

It's very true about the emotional stress. I had a scare early January- sent me into a right lather.
What bothers the most is that-- a month after having it -not only have I bled daily but that it seems to be getting just that little be more each time rather than getting lighter.

OP posts:

DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 06/03/2019 18:29

DSIL is 51, as regular as clockwork, and is making damn sure she won't be having a fourth. She told me they're at it like knives, especially on the childfree weekends.

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