Chances of getting pregnant at 50

[hitandmist]

I didn’t really know where to put this thread so I may post in a couple of topics
I am 50 and perimenopausal. I still have periods although they’ve become very irregular since starting HRT 6 months ago.
I have been seeing someone casually for a couple of months. We don’t use protection. We probably have sex 4 times a month. We did discuss protection at the start and I decided I was happy to go without.
He’s now saying he’s worried about me getting pregnant. I really think this is unlikely although not impossible. I really don’t want to start using condoms. I don’t want to use other forms of birth control as they completely mess me up.
What would you do in this situation?

I mean anecdotal stuff is interesting but it doesn’t really make a difference. The facts are, although not impossible, it’s incredibly rare to get pregnant at 50

Well the facts are that it would be rare but not impossible. And that a pregnancy, should one occur, would be unlikely to be successful.

No one can really be any more factual than that.

I'm 51 and still have regular as clockwork periods. I can still tell when I'm ovulating. Those things haven't changed. I take precautions against pregnancy because, whilst I think it would be unlikely I'd conceive, I don't want to become pregnant - I don't want a baby and I don't want to experience a miscarriage. So making sure I don't get pregnant, however slim the chance, seems like the most sensible thing to do.

Take no notice. You mentioned early in the thread to stop talking about STI’s yet people keep talking about them!

Agreed, I've never understood people that think condoms interrupt the moment but pulling out doesn't? I've also never experienced a condom to interrupt the moment, how little chemistry can there be for a second or two for him to pop a condom on is killing the moment? 🫠

I prefer the pull out- no mess 🤣🤣

Until you are at least 1 year (possibly 2) after your last period, you could get pregnant... surprise babies to women who thought they were finished their periods was quite common... even my great grandmother had 2 in her 50s (my grandmother was born in 1905 and her brother 2 years before)... and gret-gran born aroundc1850
What would you do if you fell pregnant?
If you really don't want a baby, you need to look at contraception... even if the chances of getting pregnant are low ..

I’ve just started HRT and I’m 51, my periods have stopped altogether. The doctor said I need to stay on the pill until I’m 55.

I got pregnant at 48🙈 luckily I had a miscarriage.

My daughter got pregnat at 50. I don't think it is THAT unusual. She had an abortion as she has never wanted children.

I would suggest a sexual health check for both of you just to be sure.
Surely he can get a vasectomy if he's that worried?

STIs are massively on the rise in people in middle age. It’s crazy not to use protection.

HRT isn't contraception. If you still have periods, even irregular, you could get pregnant.

The chances of unassisted pregnancy at 50 are 1% per cycle. So not impossible but incredibly rare. STIs are a much greater risk.

The ‘facts’ can be just as misleading as anecdotes though. You need to be very careful with statistics. The chances of a 50 year old woman who is still having periods getting pregnant, for example, is a more relevant statistic then the chances amongst all 50 year old women.

Although it's very rare for a woman to conceive at age 50 you are still menstruating. Even though your body is almost at menopause and you are highly unlikely to get pregnant is it worth the risk. I say that because I was in the same situation and did not want to have to make any choices or decisions about pregnancy. I hope that you and your partner manage to agree on a solution.

I got pregnant at 49 naturally, I did miscarry at about 12 weeks but it’s possible! Be prepared

Agree with this

I take it you aren't open to the copper coil? It's not hormonal but does the job.

Realistically your chances are low at the best of times I think it's 25% at our peak fertility (15-25) so it's a testament to how much sex we do to have a population of 8.5 billion. So it's pretty unlikely.

If you aren't fussed just be prepared for the consequences.

My great grandmother was over 50 when she gave birth to my grandmother.

Only she wasn’t. She wasn’t my great grandmother, I mean. She was actually my great, great grandmother, as we discovered fairly recently.

Contraception is advised until 55

There are later pregnancies.

Personally know someone who had a natural pregnancy at 52.

Risk obviously much lower, but not none.

How are you preventing STIs? That would be more common.

My friends neighbour got pregnant naturally at 57 or 58 after a ONS last year, she terminated. It is possible. She’d tell everyone she met about it at the time so it is possible, incredibly rare but not unheard of.

However, pregnancy isn’t the only issue with unprotected sex and with STIs on the rise among your age group you might want to consider that too. Who else is your partner sleeping with, without protection?

Be VERY CAREFUL! There is a spike in fertility around the start of perimenopause. Use contraception!

This has to be a wind up
a grown ass woman not wanting to use contraception

me I’m thinking STIs not pregnancy here to be honest and cos you’ve said it’s casual so he could be sleeping around.

I fell pregnant at 48, had utterly horrific miscarriage at 14 weeks -it took months to be resolved and for my body to be okay. I wouldn’t recommend that.

My perimenopausal friend got pregnant at 49 so it's entirely possible. I think your options are condoms or he has a vasectomy. I would not recommend the pull out method.