How old can you be and still be on the pill?

[ArabellaUmbrella]

I'm 44 and still taking the pill. Fairly sure I am in peri menopause, having most of the symptoms. Periods are light but I do still get some cramping. My (male) GP openly admitted he doesn't know how long I should stay on it. So next step is to request an appointment with a different (female) GP. But in the meantime I was wondering if anyone could share any advice/experiences. Thank you

As long as you have no to risk factors (high blood pressure, smoker, obesity, etc) then you can stay on it until age 50

www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/contraception-older-woman/

I had my pill check yesterday and was told 45

My pill was licensed to age 55

Combined pill is ok until 50 if no risk factors. Mini pill is ok until menopause

I am 55 and still on the pill with the blessing of several specialists. Research was done and decision to remain on the pill was reached carefully and thoughtfully. Your GP (you) should look up the NHS guidelines for Hormones and bear in mind that you don't have to switch to hormone replacement therapy instead of the pill at any particular age.

www.guidelinesinpractice.co.uk/womens-health/contraception-for-women-aged-over-40-what-when-and-for-how-long/453901.article

dementedpixie that's a really great link!! I am going to print it out for my doctors here in the USA!!

Thank you so much for helpful replies and links. It is no surprise that the collective wisdom of MN trumps my GPs complete lack of knowledge! Good to know I'm fine to carry on for at least a few more years.

I went back on the combined pill at 41, but it was a battle and only the third Dr I saw would prescribe it. I've stuck with the same Dr since, of course and I'm still on it at 46. When I went for a smear recently, I saw a Nurse and then different (female) Dr who both raised eyebrows and made noises about me being on the pill at this age. The nurse looked up the guidelines and discovered that it's ok til 50. Still...when I went back for the follow up to the smear, the new female Dr only very begrudgingly prescribed me a 6 month pack of the pill but said we would have a proper review of it after that 6 months and told me I should have a mirena coil fitted instead. So, despite the guidelines, it still seems a bit of a battle to get it prescribed in your 40s.

I'm not even 30 and I've been taken off it.

I'm 48 and still on it. Been told it won't be prescribed once I hit 50. No risk factors.

I have found that showing up with printed out copies of the research and NICE Guidelines for the doctor can be helpful. Often GP's are so overworked that there is no way that they can keep up with all the advances in all areas of medicine, so they are generally pleased that you've done the work for them. Specialists, on the other hand...there is no excuse for not being up to date with the research in your specialized field. It really irritates me when they aren't.

There is a CCP called Qlaira which is often used to women who are young and in peri meno. The estrogen in it is not synthetic, so it's better for you as it's like your own and will help peri symptoms but it also works as a contraceptive.

www.sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/NMPQlairaNov09.pdf