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Menopause

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Original poster

Can I come off the pill yet?

13 replies

TheLizardQueen · 05/08/2022 23:17

No idea where to post this so apologies if it’s in the wrong place. I feel at my age I should know the answer and I feel silly asking BUT… I am 52, on the mini pill since age 18 so never had periods. I still have pretty regular sex with DH. Do I still need to keep taking the pill? Can I still get pregnant if I don’t? I don’t feel menopausal but how would I know if I don’t have a period? Thinking I can safely come off the pill but can I still get pregnant? I can’t get an appointment at the doctors to
ask so hoping someone can help!!

OP posts:
MNHQ
YetAnotherBeckyMumsnet · 06/08/2022 11:01

Hi @TheLizardQueen we've moved your thread over to the Menopause board as there may be posters there who have experience of this.

SueSaid · 06/08/2022 12:45

Why not just come off the pill, use condoms and see where you are periods wise.

Your Dr won't be able to tell you exactly where you'll be meno wise, but at 52 you'll obviously be peri even without symptoms and maybe post meno. I'd imagine chances of conceiving would be very slim but stranger things have happened!

Breconhelen · 06/08/2022 12:50

I'm 49 and in perimenopause. We don't use any protection. The chances of getting pregnant are next to nothing.

I grew up conditioned to thinking any time we had sex I could get pregnant. Fertility is obviously much higher in teens, 20s and maybe 30s. However the chance of me having any viable eggs now and dhs sperm also still being good are so low.

Haven't even had a close call.

Breconhelen · 06/08/2022 12:53

If you ever read a thread about women even in their 40s trying to get pregnant very few are just looking at natural conception with no fertility assistance.

I know someone will post on here saying they or someone they know still got pregnant but they'll be the exception to the norm.

You should investigate though if there's any increase in fertility from coming off mini pill. Wouldnt think it was even medium to long term helpful otherwise more women would use it to increase fertility.

TanteRose · 06/08/2022 12:58

A friend of mine got pregnant at 54 - she then had a miscarriage and it was quite traumatic (even though it was unlikely the pregnancy would be viable)
I’m now 54 and haven’t had a period since March but waiting until I’ve been period-free for a year to stop using contraception - we are still quite active and I can’t wait to be able to be finally carefree Wink

TanteRose · 06/08/2022 12:59

Ha cross post @Breconhelen

PortMac · 06/08/2022 13:03

Breconhelen · 06/08/2022 12:50

I'm 49 and in perimenopause. We don't use any protection. The chances of getting pregnant are next to nothing.

I grew up conditioned to thinking any time we had sex I could get pregnant. Fertility is obviously much higher in teens, 20s and maybe 30s. However the chance of me having any viable eggs now and dhs sperm also still being good are so low.

Haven't even had a close call.

My goodness that's me.
The only difference is I'm pretty scared about getting pregnant.
Chances are low but what if? I'd be devastated. We have sex just before and just after my period.
Looking forward to menopause, no more worry.

Breconhelen · 06/08/2022 15:32

TanteRose · 06/08/2022 12:59

Ha cross post @Breconhelen

😂
Hope your friend is okay

Breconhelen · 06/08/2022 15:33

PortMac · 06/08/2022 13:03

My goodness that's me.
The only difference is I'm pretty scared about getting pregnant.
Chances are low but what if? I'd be devastated. We have sex just before and just after my period.
Looking forward to menopause, no more worry.

Show quote history

I get it I really do. I used to be scared about getting pregnant because I was so conditioned to thinking it would happen. The only way I lost the fear was through unprotected sex. I still test every few months just to be on the safe side. Again haven't even had a close call.

Hoppinggreen · 06/08/2022 15:36

I am 50
I recently came off the pill then had the period from hell and remembered why I have enjoyed not having them all these years.
Planning on staying on it for a while yet

Afterfire · 06/08/2022 15:38

The standard advice is to use contraception for at least a year after your last period. If you are on the mini pill you won’t know when this will have been or if you are still having regular periods. If you stopped taking the mini pill you’d have to wait at least 6-8 weeks to see if you had a period and then count a year from then to be “safe”. And even then I’d be worried - but then getting pregnant for me would be a disaster.

Another thought- do you want to go on to HRT? I ask because I take the mini pill as half of the progesterone part of HRT. So I take the mini pill, utrogestan 100mg every single night and oestrogel. I like this routine as I like the fact I never have any periods or bleeding on the mini pill. Might be worth considering if you did want to continue to take it
.
(I’m 41 and in early menopause due to autoimmune issues).

Fladdermus · 06/08/2022 15:43

My midwife told me that the official cut off for prescribing the mini pill is 55 but that it's fine to stop at 50. So I stopped at 50 and like a previous poster said, had the absolute worst period I'd ever had in my life. I went straight back on the pill, won't be coming off them voluntarily 'early' again.

Original poster
TheLizardQueen · 07/08/2022 22:25

Thanks everyone for your advice. I might just stay on it for another year or so just in case. I’m far too old for more babies lol

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