Do I still need contraception at nearly 56?

[Arraminta]

I had my IUD removed last week because it had shifted position and was causing some inflammation. I mentioned to the doctor that I still have fairly regular periods so would I still need to use contraception? But he was very ambivalent and basically said it was up to me. So not all that helpful.

NHS says no need to use contraception after 55, but it doesn't mention about still having periods after 55.

I'd imagine that even if you did get pregnant at 56, the likelihood of actually getting to full term would be miniscule. It's a case of weighing up the risk and is it an acceptable amount of risk for you. I'm shocked that you still get such regular periods at that age tbh. Maybe speak with a female GP who would probably be more knowledgeable about it

I guess if you're still having regular period and are sexually active, then yes !

Hi there. Doctor didnt seem very helpful at all. If you are still having periods I would maybe still use contraception

I did. Oldest natural recorded birth in UK is 59 - on the Isle of Wight if I remember rightly. I wasn't risking the odds to beat her record, until Id done a year without a period.

Was it mirena? If the IUD was hormone releasing, could it be that was giving you the bleed each month? I hadn’t had a period in almost 2 years but when I went on HRT the progesterone meant I started having a light bleed each month as it makes the uterus shed.

I’m 52 on continuous HRT and still having fairly regular periods and I’ve been off contraception for six months and playing with fire hoping the odds are on my side.

I just can’t face any of the hormonal forms like the pill, am anxious about a coil and hate condoms when an STI is not a concern. It’s a minefield isn’t it?

What age do regular periods usually stop? I'm early 50s. not on HRT or the pill and have regular periods?

Similar decision to make here, my mirena needs replacing in the summer but don’t want to get pregnant. Very irregular periods and very light with it but don’t know if it’s causing me to continue bleeds and I’ve actually gone through menopause or they will get heavy when it’s removed!

It really is a bit of a minefield. It was the copper coil I had so no artificial hormones causing a bleed. Even more bizarre is that I took Tamoxifen between 49 and 52 and even that didn't have any effect on my periods.

Same here Still taking mini pill at nearly fifty three, the one linked to brain tumours. Have no idea whether periods have stopped due to mini pill or menopause Partner is sixty nine............orgasms but doesnt ejaculate

No

No experience with any form of coil, but my periods were regular till 55, then stopped quite suddenly. I didn't want to take any risks and kept going with contraception for a year after that.

I had my mirena (which was put in around 50 due to peri & related extremely long heavy periods) removed at 53 due to hormonal breast cancer.

I haven’t had a period in the 5 months since, and from body cycle signs (spots, mood swings, stool consistency etc) and also additional peri-symptoms (I'd gone onto HRT around 4 months earlier) probably wouldn't have had one for at least 6 months prior if the Mirena hadn't been in place.

We are generally still using condoms, although there have been a couple of instances when we haven’t.
Tending towards not buying any more when these run out.

If I were having regular periods I wouldn’t want to risk it tbh

sure, if you went to the go and said you wanted to try to conceive they’d tell you that the odds were stacked against you but, for me, I wanted nothing less than to give birth at 56. Buying a fucking prom outfit for your child at seventy fucking two. It’s not to be laughed at!

im 58 this year and the thought of having a toddler is deeply, DEEPLY unpleasant!

If I were you, then yes I would definitely be using contraception.
It is still possible to get pregnant and although unusual, you never know if you will become one of those statistics.
I suppose it depends on how you think you'll feel if you have a pregnancy "scare" - would you be happy about it or not? Rhetorical question obviously - I'm not trying to pry.

Medical texts and advice can be wrong - I was told by numerous doctors from the age of 23 that I "would be extremely unlikely to fall pregnant naturally" - I got pregnant 5 times, the latest being a total surprise (whilst using contraception) just before I turned 48.