Stopping contraception

[ThinkAboutItTomorrow]

When did you stop taking precautions?

Since DD2 was born 5 years ago we've used condoms because I didn't want to go back to hormonal contraceptives. I've spent >15 years on them and they were mostly fine but I'm happier without.

But neither of us likes condoms. They interrupt and make sex less enjoyable for DP.

I'm 45 and started hot flushes and irregular periods.

I know the official guidance is not to stop contraception until 2 years without a period or something but my chances of conceiving naturally are 3%. Which is so low I'm inclined to risk it.

Is this one of those things everyone just does but doesn't mention or is everyone else good and stick to the guidelines?

Thanks.

One of my great grandmothers had seven children between 40 with the last being born at 50. I also know of two women who were pregnant at 53. My DH had the snip, so I didn't have that worry.

Well yes, that was one of my thoughts, my great grandmother had 14 kids, the last at 53 according to the dates on her headstone.

But condoms are only 98% effective and 85% practically effective. So I'm technically not taking much more of a risk than I have been with the pill all those years

I'm very much at risk of self justification as I know the answer I want

The question you need to ask is how prepared are you to have another baby or a termination if you stop using condoms.

The failure rate for condoms is supposedly down to human error and non-compliance, not condom failure. That's people who say they use condoms but don't for every single occasion, or only use them at the very last moment. If they slip off or tear then the MAP is an option.

You can become more fertile in peri as the ovaries churn out for all they are worth when they DO decide to produce an egg.

I was well over 50 before I took a chance and periods had been AWOL for many months.