Would you bother with the MAP in these circumstances?

[Kattuccino]

DH and I have been using condoms without an issue since DS2 was born 12 years ago. Yesterday, one split.

I am 47 but still have regular periods. I'm currently mid-cycle, so probably about as fertile as I could be.

But at my age I'm assuming the likelihood of pregnancy is pretty much zero? Would you bother taking the MAP in these circumstances?

Thanks!

We had a similar debate last month. Different stage of life but similar feeling of fertility being extremely unlikely. Did not bother with MAP but did mentally reconcile myself to an abortion if necessary. We got away with it, hope yours is okay too whatever you decide.

Oh also I was also mid cycle and the MAP works by stopping ovulation. I reckoned that I’d already ovulated (if I was going to) so the MAP wouldn’t have helped. Coil was an option but I’m terrified of it.

For me it would depend on:

1. How you would feel about a baby
2. How you feel about abortion

If you’re happy to roll the dice and would be okay with either outcome if it did result in pregnancy (a baby or an abortion) then that’s okay, you can wait and see, firm in the knowledge that whatever happens you can deal with it.

But if you absolutely don’t want a baby and you also don’t think you could have an abortion then I’d go get the pill, better safe than sorry.

Thank you.

This is the first time in my life I've ever had regular periods so I'm loathe to take the MAP unless I really need to, as I assume it will mess my cycles up completely!

Glad things worked out for you.

But at my age I'm assuming the likelihood of pregnancy is pretty much zero?

Not really - plenty of women do have babies at that age. You're still having regular periods and you're mid-cycle so while you're definitely less likely to get pregnant than a younger woman might, the chances are certainly more than zero.

I guess if you feel that you would OK with having an abortion (or having another baby, I suppose!) in the (relatively unlikely but certainly possible) event that you do turn out to be pregnant, then don't bother with the MAP. But if you definitely feel you couldn't handle either of those things - or would find them more difficult to cope with than messed-up periods for a while - then definitely go to a pharmacy and get it sorted pronto.

For your 2 children, did you get pregnant quickly or did you need to keep trying for months? You need o assume you have the same fertility as 12 years ago when dc came along.

The chance of carrying a baby to term is less than 5%

Personally I wouldn't bother but obviously the risk is yours to decide

My MIL had my BIL when she was 49

Chance of multiple births also increases with age!

It took us around 18 months to conceive DC1, then DC2 took one attempt 😬 So my fertility seems variable?!

I definitely wouldn't have another baby at this point.

I suppose the sensible thing is to go for the MAP. I'll be at a pharmacy later on so will get it then.

Thank you all!

I’d take it as risk of pregnancy would bother me more than concern for my cycle etc

Going through a miscarriage or termination would lead to a whole load of hormonal stress that could be avoided with the MAP though.

At 47 - chances are negligible. Even with IVF women at that age have no chance with own eggs (unless they have been frozen at a younger age).

MAP screws up your hormones and cycles - and as you are in peri- phase - it’s no fun.

I’d wait - and if somehow the impossible happens - you can take pills then. Also will screw up your hormones, but at least you’ll know for sire.