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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to take the pill at age 40? I’ve never taken it, some questions

34 replies

BlueManRiver · 27/09/2019 07:33

No more children wanted and we’ve relied on condos which I hate and so does my husband,

I cannot bear the thought of any kind of implant or coil.

My question, am I too old for the mini pill? I m worried the doctor won’t give it to me!

Secondly, can I take it without a break if I don’t want a period?

Thanks for any info as I’m lacking in knowledge.

OP posts:
Original poster
BlueManRiver · 27/09/2019 07:34

*condoms

OP posts:
purpleolive · 27/09/2019 07:37

Can't your husband get the snip? I'm early 30s with the coil but by the time we are 40 DH will be snipped, I've done my bit it's his turn! I don't want to be filling my body with hormonal contraceptives.

purpleolive · 27/09/2019 07:38

(Sorry I know it's really annoying when we dodge the question at hand, but no I wouldn't take the pill at 40 but I won't take it at 30 either, I think it's dangerous stuff that's underestimated)

Oysterbabe · 27/09/2019 07:39

They'll give it to you I'm sure. With the mini pill you don't have a break, you take it every day.

purpleolive · 27/09/2019 07:39

But just to add mini pill has to be taken exact time every day, unlike the pill, so be careful with that as I struggled.

Fairylea · 27/09/2019 07:40

You can take the pill right up to menopause now - they’re much safer than they used to be and the risks have been overstated. A gp should take into account any risk factors you have. You take the mini pill all the time everyday without a break. Many people don’t have periods at all on it, some have breakthrough bleeding. I prefer the mini pill - however it doesn’t contain oestrogen like the combined pill and this is an issue for some people (some people like me take oestrogen separately for hrt reasons as I like the not having periods of the mini pill). On the combined pill you take it for 21 days and have a 7 day break during which you have a period.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 27/09/2019 07:42

I'm 43. I take the mini pill which stops my periods. My GP wanted me to moved from the combined pill to mini pill at about 37

Fairylea · 27/09/2019 07:42

Information here, scroll down - www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/contraception-older-woman/

purpleolive · 27/09/2019 07:47

@Fairylea I am speaking of the mental health risks, which are very much understated, not overstated. I'm not sure if the evidence changes as a woman gets older but there has been research about the detrimental effect of both pills on young women but they're very much dismissed by many, makes life easier for men.

stucknoue · 27/09/2019 07:48

The snip is better, I would not want to take hormones in my 40's

Fairylea · 27/09/2019 07:52

I do understand the mental health risks but as someone who has gone through an early menopause due to autoimmune conditions and relies on hormone replacement (via the pill and later HRT) there are also plenty of mental health risks associated with untreated menopause and relying on contraception that just doesn’t work for you for whatever reason. I have used the pill safely since I was 13 with no issues (I am now nearly 40) and I think it’s an amazing form of contraception for many reasons and one which too many are very quick to dismiss and bash because of some scare stories in the media.

I appreciate we are all different, it’s not going to be good for everyone, but for many people the pill is fantastic.

Fairylea · 27/09/2019 07:53

I also find mumsnet quite odd in that everyone is very quick to say they won’t take hormones in their 40s etc but the minute someone suggested they’re going through the menopause everyone piles on to suggest HRT!

Teddybear45 · 27/09/2019 07:57

The GP will decide based on your overall health /BMI.

blahblahblahblahhh · 27/09/2019 07:59

I took the pill in my late teens / early 20s definitely made me messed up! I'd categorically never go on it again. The risks do increase with age as well.
If you have any sort of family history of breast / ovarian / prostate cancer I'd avoid it.
Why not have your Fallopian tubes snipped?

bigbluebus · 27/09/2019 07:59

I took the mini pill until I was 53 having switched from the combined pill in my 40's.
Whether your GP will prescribe it will depend on your medical history and whether you are overweight, have high blood pressure or other risk factors, rather than age.

purpleolive · 27/09/2019 08:01

@Fairylea I doubt I will be able to take HRT due to the breast cancer risk in my family (but yes otherwise I probably would to mitigate all the other symptoms ha, it's the mood swings that scare me, for me the pill causes them so if HRT stopped them I would take! But I know very little about it, my mum couldn't take it)

It just seems a bit silly to me to use birth control when you are passed wanting children. All birth control will come with some risks, which we accept when we are preserving our fertility, but if you're in your 40s and know you're done with children it seems a really unnecessary risk to me when the man can be snipped (if in a long term relationship of course, different if not)

As we are 30s we've chosen to not do anything permanent yet, so I have the copper coil, but by 40 DH will be snipped. He'd do it now but I'm the one on the fence.

Oysterbabe · 27/09/2019 08:55

I'm keen for DH to be snipped, him not so much. We're using condoms for now but I'm trying to get a referral for sterilisation for me. We're very happy with our 2 children and definitely don't want more.

SilverChime · 27/09/2019 08:58

My GP wouldn’t let me have the pill at age 38 because of the increased risk of blood clots.

MunchyMunchkin · 27/09/2019 09:08

Yes you can potentially have both types of pill in your 40s, any risk factors like high bmi or smoking mean you are limited to the mini pill. 50% of women don’t bleed on the mini pill which is delightful. Speak to your gp or local family planning service.

To the poster who said about family history of breast cancer - it’s not a contraindication to HRT. Bigger risk factors are alcohol intake and high bmi.

Tensixtysix · 27/09/2019 09:08

How about your DH gets the snip. Why is it always the woman's responsibility?

somanyresusablebags · 27/09/2019 09:16

My GP makes me come in for weight and blood pressure checks every 3 months. I am 45.

I am on a low dose combined pill that is not regulating my periods. I've had a very easy ride period/pregnancy wise until now when I am suffering massively from heavy, inconsistent periods and rage.

So....it isn't super safe and might not work. My next effort will be mirena plus estrogen patch (I hope)

FatherFintanFay · 27/09/2019 09:27

I was told when I was 36 that I was "high risk" for the pill, and I was only on it to regulate my periods. I had normal-to-low blood pressure at the time but I was overweight, which seems to be the first thing GPs seize on when they don't want to treat you Hmm

I think it's probably less risky now than it used to be (or at least, was perceived to be), but if you've never taken hormonal contraceptives before, why would you start at 40? Can either you or your husband not look into something more permanent, like tubal ligation/vasectomy?

BunnyColvin · 27/09/2019 09:28

Totally agree with you @purpleolive
Women put too much crap into their bodies for mens' sake imo. Tell him it's his turn.

Original poster
BlueManRiver · 27/09/2019 09:43

We've had 'the snip' conversation before but he refuses. I tell him can't be as bad as the 2x c sections I've had but he says it's not for him.

OP posts:
purpleolive · 27/09/2019 09:44

If my DH refused to get the snip I'd refuse sex! How bloody selfish.

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