why shouldn't women in their 40s be on the pill?

[hildaogden99]

I'd been on Cilest for years with no problems. I had regular pill checks and am in good health, not overweight, don't smoke, no high blood pressure etc. Then I was told "this is not a good pill for you to be on at your age (46)". Something was muttered about increased breast cancer risk due to the estrogen in the pill. I came off the pill and had the mirena which I hate and want removed. Would I be foolish to go back on Cilest, if indeed they'll even prescribe it? (mini pill is a no no for me as the progesterone causes acne).

I'm sure I read somewhere that the pill is fine until menopause in women with no health problems??

Can't think why.

Money? (Nhs pays)

I am 44 and still on pill

Isn't there increased risks of heart attacks and strokes? I always thought that was the reason.

Might it be worth trying a different mini pill?

cks.nice.org.uk/contraception-combined-hormonal-methods#!scenarioclarification:5

cks.nice.org.uk/contraception-assessment#!scenariorecommendation:28

Hope these help - most coc are licensed up to age 50.

www.fsrh.org/pdfs/ukmecsummarysheets2009.pdf

And this

I was on pill for 20+ years, and was told that 42 was too old, despite no other risk factors.

I warned DH that he would have to be snipped. He took his time, and so we used condoms, and after 2 splits, I had an IUD fitted. I hate it, and now that he has finally had the snip, it is coming out as soon as it is safe to do so.

You could go back and say that you fully understand the risks and are happy with them, this is contraceptive that suits you and you have been on for years and see if that helps. It did for me when I had been on one For years that then had slightly increased risk, they tried to switch me I said that they said fine.

I had my mirena out too i don'tknow why they are so keen on it loads of people have all sorts of trouble with it. It's like the nhs have decided it's great and that over rides any negative feedback from actual women!

www.fsrh.org/pdfs/ContraceptionOver40July10.pdf

And this too!

I took Femodene until 49, when I was taken off it because I have migraine with aura, and they have changed the rules on that, and my surgery have only just caught up!

Since coming off, my periods have been all over the place, usually every 3 weeks. Staying on the pill has given me a lot of stability and the only downside was that I had to keep drinking regularly during the off week, or I would get a headache. According to the above info, there are lots of side-benefits such as less benign breast disease, better bone density etc. So it is a matter of weighing up risks and benefits, to you personally.

If you have been on the pill for a long time, they advise you to consider alternative options for contraception, regardless of your age. The increased health risks associated with the combined pill are very real - after having DS, I was advised to consider alternatives, I said I would and they prescribed the combined pill in the meantime, which then caused a pulmonary embolism. Very dangerous, very unpleasant, with serious impact on health and lifestyle, not something I would wish on anyone.
I don't think that this is associated with cost, the mini pill is not really much cheaper as the combined pill.

Mine is probably the worst case scenario, but they are right to advise you to consider other options for contraception.

My gynaecologist suggested the mirena, because it doesn't release oestrogen. But having had two cases of pelvic infection when I was younger, I decided for the pill. I am 43.

And btw, I decided to go on the pill mainly because I was fed up with terrible periods.

My SIS stayed on the mini pill until she was 55. Only came off it due to having developed a Fibroid which was easily removed. She had no menopausal symptoms and 10 years later is still as fit as a fiddle and looks 10 years younger than she is.

I'm 46 and have taken the mini pill for 13years and I have absolutely no intention of stopping.

Next to no periods and no period pain. I have no intention of rocking the boat.

When my dp has the snip,I told the nurse I would be coming off the pill (I'm 40) she suggested there were very good reasons to stay on it?! The main one being it can prevent ovarian cancer.

I had been on depo before that though, so maybe it's how long you've been on it?

The mini pill is different to the combined pill though and more suitable as we get older.

Combined pill until 50 ish if no risk factors. Smokers over 35 should change and obese.

Progestogen only pills can be taken up until 55

Combined oral contraceptives up to 50

Depo injection 45 (may cause bone loss)

The stroke risk for coc is higher than the risk of pregnancy after 50, (unless there are other risks, eg smoking, high blood pressure, when it is earlier), so pop with a lower overall risk becomes preferable.

The increased risk for breast cancer is the same with either pill type.

Have just posted under "family planning" as this morning my GP recommended going back on the combined pill to manage the effects of peri-menopause (nothing else has been working). Was wondering if anyone else is taking it at my age - I'm 49. Seems a bit unusual, but if there's no other risk factors she said it is considered OK.