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Menopause

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Original poster

When did you abandon contraception in menopause?

16 replies

MardyBra · 03/10/2011 18:41

I'm mid 40s, still having periods, but getting more irregular, so it's not time yet.

I know the official advice is to wait until one year period free. But does everyone do that? Obviously Cherie Blair didn't.

Just interested (or maybe I need to go over to gransnet!)

OP posts:
ameliagrey · 04/10/2011 19:56

Oooh be careful!

I didn't abandon contraception until I was about 54.

My last period was at 53 -54 ( had some bleeding after a long gap between 53- 54.)

You could still be fertile in your in 40s. In fact sometimes the ovaries go into overdrive and chuck out more eggs as they wind down.

The RULE is wait for one year if periods stop after 50, and wait 2 years if under 50 before you ditch contraception.

carabos · 18/12/2011 20:22

I'm 48 and haven't used contraception for about 3 years. Had an endometrial ablation 2 years ago, but that can't be relied on as a contraceptive.
Look at it from the other side. If you went to your GP and said you were ttc and what are your chances of conceiving naturally they would rofl before showing you the door.

ameliagrey · 19/12/2011 17:09

carabos- that's a bit of a silly answer really.
My gynae says it is very important to use contraception right up to the times I posted above- as many women pop out the odd egg way after they think it's all over.

There is documentation of births- natural ones- up to the age of 56, and my DH had a former gifrlfirend whose mother gave birth at 449.

ameliagrey · 19/12/2011 17:10

LOL- 49!

carabos · 01/03/2012 22:45

Sorry but it's not a "silly answer". While there are cases where women in their late 40s and 50s have conceived naturally, they are extremely rare. In fact Cherie Blair's ob/gyn said she had never had another patient in her career with such a late pregnancy.

My gyn didn't bat an eyelid when I told him before my ablation that we had stopped using contraception and didn't suggest we should use it then or after the operation. Presumably he could see from my hormone levels that a pregnancy wasn't /isn't going to happen.

Women need to stop reading about and believing stories about ancient celebs having babies and understand that with every day that passes your fertility declines. It is indeed a biological clock.

Trills · 02/03/2012 09:51

Do you want another baby?

If the answer is "no, I definitely do not want another baby" then stick with the contraception.

If you would actually quite like another baby, ditch the contraception and see what happens.

catonlap · 02/03/2012 10:47

read this

It is talking about abortion in over 40's, which I know is not exactly what you are asking about, but it is just interesting re the comments of women being shocked to find out they are pregnant in their 40's.

shesparkles · 02/03/2012 10:50

I'm going to have a Mirena till I'm 97. I got pregnant extremely easily both times and I'm taking no chances-I don't want to be a world record holder!

ameliagrey · 02/03/2012 14:38

carabos well you gynae may not have batted an eye lid, but mine, who is one of the most eminent in the UK ,made sure I was using contraception right up to 2 years after final period. He is also a very eminent fertility specialist and a director of a fertility clinic.

So I am sorry but you are mistaken in your beleif that it's hardly likely to happen.

It may be rare to conceive in your 40s and 50s but it is certainly nor unheard of or impossible.

if you want to take a chance then that's your choice.

Molecule · 02/03/2012 14:53

It may be rare carabos, but it does happen. when I was having dd2 the mother in the bed next to mine had just had a baby at 48. She had thought as her periods appeared to have stopped there was no need to worry, had had a wonderful 2nd honeymoon and 9 months later there was the baby.

Have to admit it's made me quite paranoid as after my 4th I had a merena coil fitted, and was told that the 2nd one would take me to the menopause. I am now 50 and don't know if it's still working or if I've hit the menopause, as of course I haven't had a period for over 10 years. Just been to see the doctor who really had no idea and said she would look into it. I certainly do not want to be pregnant.

Original poster
MardyBra · 02/03/2012 14:54

Just saw this in Active Convos and thought "oh, interesting thread". Then, I clicked on and it was my own thread from 6 months ago!

OP posts:
herecomesthsun · 19/03/2012 11:13

Just done a search on contraception over 45 and this thread came up. I had DD 5 weeks ago and am trying to review which form of contraception would be best as am planning to breastfeed for at least several months. Also, my mum had breast cancer, so am thinking not a hormonal method probably, all things considered.

I will be 48 next month Grin

Trills · 19/03/2012 11:17

So what did you decide? :)

gladiatorsmith · 19/03/2012 11:19

A doctor recently told me that she found a woman pregnant at age of 61yrs!!!

herecomesthsun · 19/03/2012 12:56

Haven't decided yet, have 6 week dr check Weds week.

ameliagrey · 19/03/2012 18:47

coil , cap, sterilisation or condoms then.

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