How many of you don’t use contraception?

[Mackers123]

Hi i’m just wondering really. Ive just read that the over 50’s have 1% chance of getting pregnant.

Ive not had a period since January and before that it was June. I’ve just started the mini pill which i’d rather not be on tbh

[Mackers123]

@Murinae i tend to agree with you, but they do say to keep on with contraception for 2 years after your last period i think. it's a pain but something to defo think about

[Murinae]

I had my Mirana coil out last year aged 51 and haven’t used contraception since. Had one period in Feb. I seriously doubt I will get pregnant so am sticking with no contraception. I’m your position I wouldn’t use contraception. It’s almost a year since your last period.

[Annandale]

I wouldn't regard it as unethical to use abortion as a contraceptive, any more than emergency contraception is unethical. Of course you can have that as your own belief but it's not the case for everyone.

[Mackers123]

@shouldidoitspoilt thank you

the gp for some reason do not put in the coils now, although my last one was put in by them, they referred me to another Drs and after they wrote to me I then had to book swabs with the nurse at my Drs or with a local family planning clinic, my drs nurse wasn't available for months and I made an appointment that i thought was with family planning and they denied all knowledge of it. its all rather long winded and ridiculous a friend of mine went to her drs today and got everything done and a new coil inserted..

i think checking for ovulation with me wouldn't work as I don't think I am ovulating, i know there is a chance that I may ovulate at some point and i would like to use that natural method but ive been told it wouldn't work for me.

[shouldidoitspoilt]

@Mackers123
Sorry I didn't realise you weren't saying you would use a termination as a means of contraception so I take back any elements of my post that were condescending

I can't believe the gp won't put a copper coil in for you! That's mental. Can you ask to see another one or use the GUM clinic instead?

I don't blame you with the pill, it's horrible.

Can you wee on sticks to check for ovulation or do you think that would be a massive waste of money, products and time?
Do you have mucus you can track?

It sounds really tough to manage actually

[Mackers123]

@shouldidoitspoilt I am not saying I would use termination as a means of family planning, someone else mentioned a termination but it wasn't me. I am just interested in people's views.
also I can't track ovulation as I am not having periods at the moment

as per NotCitrus I have had the copper coil and was thinking of using this again but my Drs left me high and dry with trying to get an appointment for that so I decided to go on the mini pill so I was covered but that's another story, i do think I will try and go down this route again even though I don't think i would easily get pregnant at my age

[BooseysMom]

@mackers123..a very good question! I refuse to use any contraception after 30 years of horrendous side-effects from all types of pills, Depo and the coil. The only thing I never tried was the implant. The best way is to use condoms or abstain! No better method! We have one DC conceived at 40 and wanted another but it never happened, however if it did we'd feel blessed. Its worth the risk. And ok the stats are higher for abnormalities in over 35's but they can still happen whatever age you are.
Good luck ok x

[QueenoftheNights]

The failure rate is 1:5. Not exactly reliable!

[shouldidoitspoilt]

Two planned pregnancies
Both within a month ...

[shouldidoitspoilt]

@QueenoftheNights
Or they don't double dip.

[QueenoftheNights]

Withdrawal

It's well known this is not safe. Sperm are released before ejaculation as part of the lubrication men have. It only takes 1 sperm to make a baby.

It's drummed into kids these days that withdrawing is not safe, partly as it needs a huge amount of self control and can't be totally satisfying for either party.

The reason withdrawal appears to work for some couples is they may- between them- have an element of infertility or sub fertility, undiagnosed- which means they get away with it.

[shouldidoitspoilt]

@NotCitrus

It's being used as a method of contraception and that is unethical.
You can box it up how you like.
Running a risk of being pregnant when you don't want to be and using absoloutley zero methods of contraception but saying a termination is acceptable for you is just really mad.

I used withdrawal for my entire relationship and marriage and have never had a mistake.

Track ovulation if you want to use nothing and just make sure you're not ovulating OP before your partner ejaculates inside of you.

[Shampaincharly]

It is important for ladies to use condoms .
Older ladies are at risk of STI as they embark on new relationships after divorce etc

[NotCitrus]

Looking to see what ages people give up contraception - I've just had a 10-year copper coil fitted and the doc said assuming this goes as smoothly as my last one, I'll never have to worry about contraception again in my life, but wasn't sure whether 53 would be a guarantee of not needing contraception? The guidelines re periods are very helpful, thank you @queenofthenights.

If a coil and other methods don't work for certain people, there's nothing unethical about deciding the risk of pregnancy is low enough not to worry about it, nor in having an abortion. No chosen abortion is unethical.

[shouldidoitspoilt]

It's crazy that you would use a termination as your only method of "family planning" or "contraception" it's actually bordering on unethical.
Use a condom, withdrawal method or take the pill and suck it up.
Being willing to fall potentially pregnant and then have a termination is bonkers.

[Hiphopopotamous]

I guess you have to ask yourself whether you could go through a termination or bring up a child at your age - if you couldn't face either you need to be more careful.

[Hiphopopotamous]

A work colleague (medical) got pregnant this year in her early 50s while she was on HRT. It happens.

[QueenoftheNights]

Mackers no one can decide for you. There is a risk, even if it's a small one, no doubt about that.

If you are happy to take the risk and then have a termination, that is the choice only you can make.

[thedevilinablackdress]

Faculty of sexual and reproductive health guidelines for contraception in women over 40, chapter 6:

www.fsrh.org/standards-and-guidance/documents/fsrh-guidance-contraception-for-women-aged-over-40-years-2017/

[MaidenMotherCrone]

Op I’m still having periods , I’m peri menopausal.

[Mackers123]

Vintage goth i have only been on the mini pill for around 3 weeks before that i wasn’t using anything because i didn’t have to so i’m pretty up on when my last natural period was

[Mackers123]

sorry correction last period Jan this year, before that June. Ive just looked back and mosty throughout 2016/7 it was every other month

[Mackers123]

ive not had a period since January last year and before that one it was June.

I think you could always find a story of someone who did get pregnant, i think the statistics are 13 a year for over 50 but most of them were through ivf or similar.

[Vintagegoth]

I take the mini pill and it has stopped my periods for the last 18 months. If you are on the mini pill, do not take lack of periods as a sign that you are menopausal. Only way to tell is to come off the pill and use other methods of contraception and see if your period returns.

[QueenoftheNights]

My DH had a former friend whose mum became pregnant at 49. The child had learning difficulties.

I used contraception till I was 52. My periods were a bit hit and miss for about 9 months prior to that. The last one was about 52.5