Do periods at 51 mean I'm still ovulating?

[Bluebell66]

Just that really. My mini pill, Micronor, has been discontinued and I'm reluctant to go onto Noriday, the recommended alternative. I am incredibly sensitive to hormones and Micronor is the only contraceptive pill I have ever tolerated, having tried countless types.

My periods are extremely erratic, sometimes going months without one.

When I do get a period, does this mean I am still ovulating at the age of 51? I've read different things on the subject and wonder what, in reality, my chances are of becoming pregnant at this age? I've been in perimenopause for 4 years at least.

TIA

You have to assume you are ovulating. You won't be every time but it's not impossible to become pregnant at 51 though not likely.
can't you swap to something like condoms or a cap for a while? Or would you consider the Mirena coil?

Thanks Polly, coil not an option due to the difficulties in fitting (cervix off to the side, hence needing hysteroscopy under GA). The recommended alternative for Micronor is Noriday, but I've read some dreadful stories on here about it even though it is also norethisterone so I'm extremely reluctant to try it.

If it contains the same progestogen then why not try it? However if your natural periods are very infrequent ( I presume this is while off Micronor and taking nothing?) then you are getting to be late peri-menopause and as such you might well benefit from also taking oestrogen and therefore starting HRT. The downside is that you might still want to use contraception ( although getting pregnant over 50 is unlikely as PollyPerky says). If you are getting symptoms such as flushes and sweats then this would be the best option. If you are feeling well the and your infrequent periods are due to the POP then maybe you are not yet peri-menopausal? I wasn't at your age still having regular periods until age 52 ish.

I am on HRT Lulu, Oestrogel daily and Provera 10 days every other month. This might sound ridiculous, it does to me now I think about it, but it didn't occur to me that my very infrequent periods could be down to the POP😐🤔. Since stopping the Micronor, I feel so much better mentally, that I've decided I'm not going to have anymore hormonal contraceptives. They've never suited me but Micronor was the best of a bad bunch!

I feel calmer, not as anxious and I've lost half a stone. I wish I'd come off it a long time ago.

Thank you for all your advice Lulu, I really appreciate it. xx