To just stop taking the pill and assume I am now infertile ?

[Goodskin46]

I am 46 for the last 4 years have been back on the pill as the coil started causing problems in my 40's. I haven't taken it now for 3 weeks, no bleeding, negative pregnacy test. Last period was probrably April. Googling chance of conception is very low (less than 1%). WIBU to just not start it again, assuming I am now infertile. Then if no period for a year see GP for HRT ?. I have no menopause symptoms.

It can take months for your periods to return after stopping the pill- 3 weeks is no time. Your choice of course but you can’t assume your’e infertile at 46.

Why would you think you're infertile and where are you getting your 1% figure from?

If you're having sex you need to use some form of contraception

Menopause (when your periods stop permanently and you're no longer fertile) is usually diagnosed:

• if you're over 50 and have not had a period for more than 12 months
• if you're under 50 and have not had a period for more than 2 years

(This doesn't apply if using hormonal contraception)

How would you feel if you did get pregnant? That answer will tell you whether you ought to make that assumption or not.

I wouldn't assume you're infertile. This is how my Nan had my uncle at 49.

I wouldn't risk if

Why not just use condoms for awhile?

Yes, my nan was 46 when she had my dad.

The chances of conception followed by a live birth are pretty low at 46, the chances of conception followed by miscarriage are quite a bit higher. Are you OK with that, I think it could be quite traumatic.

Yep, and how my friend became a first time mum to twins at 48.

If you're OK with getting pregnant then go for it.

I would ever assume I was infertile, even if a medical professional had told me so. I know too many people who've been told they won't ever conceive who have gone on to have multiple healthy, naturally conceived, pregnancies.

Why take the risk? Use alternative contraception?

sometimes I wonder if women know any more about how their bodies work today than they did in 1770...
The level of ignorance evidenced by the questions on MN is staggering; it's very sad

As others have already said .. please consider how it will affect you if you discover you are pregnant

How about condoms ?
How about a vasectomy for him if you really don't want a pregnancy?

Please don't take this risk if it will affect you mentally or physically

What everyone else says - don't risk it.

Also, don't assume you need HRT. Lots of women go through the menopause quite happily without it.

What a very helpful and kind comment 😑

46 isn't old enough to assume you've gone though the menopause. You won't know for sure unless you have your FSH levels tested. Is that an option for you?

I came off the pill at 44. Now 46 and no sign of meno or peri even. Everyone is different. As others have said, what impact would pregnancy, successful or otherwise, have ? If it's an 'oops but oh well', fair enough. If it would be a disaster then no.

Why would you go for HRT if you have no menopause symptoms?

Contraception should be continued until menopause, which is defined as two years after your last period if you are under 50, and one year after your last period if over 50. If menopause can’t be confirmed, the guidelines recommend using contraception until aged 55.

Over 35, 6 months trying without conceiving is considered the time to start seeking additional support. Just to indicate that 3 weeks is no time and as previously stated, your cycle can take a while to regulate post stopping the pill. Your post gives no real reasons to presume you're infertile. Unless you have had your ovaries removed or tubes tied, you can get pregnant. It may take longer or be less likely but it is possible.

Why not just keep on taking the pill? Why do you want off it?

And how does your comment help with that lack of knowledge?

I agree that everyone (men included) should have a better understanding of the way women's bodies work, but as someone who did a-level biology, the reproductive system post reproductive age was never discussed at school. My mum never really answered my questions because she didn't really know what to expect from peri-/ menopause because her mother's generation didn't think it was a topic for conversation. So where do people go for information? Even GPs are often woefully uninformed about what "normal" is for a woman

So you’ve only been off hormonal contraception for 3 weeks.

You have no symptoms to suggest you are menopausal, and actually bled 6-8 weeks ago.

You’re only 46.

What on earth would make you think you’re infertile?!

If you don’t mind a surprise possible pregnancy then don’t bother with contraception. Otherwise I’d make sure you are using something, such as condoms, or you may find that “no period for a year” is due to pregnancy!