Contraception, how long?

[TillyVonMilly]

Hi. I’m about to turn 51 and have been on HRT for 10 months. I’d been on the mini pill for years, I stopped it just over a year ago, and seldom had bleeds, none at all for the last two years of taking it. I’d been having night sweats and mood swings for 18 months before I started HRT which stopped the night sweats and improved my moods. The doctor put me on elleste duet 1mg, white and green pills, which causes a bleed, as she said she didn’t know if my periods had stopped naturally or just due to the mini pill, I didn’t have any spotting in the three months between stopping the pill and starting HRT, I’m not due back to the doctors for another few weeks but I’m wondering how long we need to keep using contraception for? The doctor never mentioned it at all and I forgot to ask thanks.

They usually say 55 to be safe.

Thanks Paris I didn’t realise it was so long

@TillyvonMilly

The Mirena clouds the issue. The rule is to use contraception for 1 year after a final periods if you are over 50 and 2 years if you are under 50.

Most women will be post meno by 54. Conception is highly unlikely then and even if it happens, most don't implant or survive, but it's a hard call. You know your circs and what suits you best.

Sorry- I thought you'd said the Mirena. The mini pill and HRT add up to the same thing though.