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Women's health

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Original poster

Contraception in your 50's

23 replies

mumsnoangel · 01/09/2021 23:29

Still have an occasional period though I'm nearly 53. Condoms are no longer working for us as my dh seems no longer able to cum when we use them. A couple of times I've not used anything and when I went for my routine smear appointment the nurse said I could technically fall pregnant. Seems a bit unlikely but I know I shouldn't risk it. As my periods are infrequent I could be pregnant without realising it for several months. Gulp. What do women of my age do before they're definitely through the menopause? Do you know anyone who fell pregnant in their 50's and what happened?

OP posts:
BluebellsGreenbells · 01/09/2021 23:31

I’ve given up on contraception, highly unlikely.

Womenopause · 01/09/2021 23:34

I think it's vanishingly rare to conceive in your 50s. And if you do, it's very likely to end in miscarriage.

Aquamarine1029 · 01/09/2021 23:34

I wouldn't be careless, personally. My great grandmother got pregnant at 49 and had the baby at 50. She hadn't had a period in nine months, but as it turned out, she was 6 months pregnant. Yes, getting pregnant in your 50's is rare, but it does happen. There is no way I would risk it.

PickAChew · 01/09/2021 23:37

Well, if you can't face the pill (who could at 50?) and he struggles with condoms, you could go old school with a diaphragm or spermicidal pessaries.

Cyrsethatballoon · 01/09/2021 23:40

Has anyone ever got pregnant mid 50's - asking for a friend ....

MissCruellaDeVil · 01/09/2021 23:40

A teacher at my kids school has just had a baby, she is 49! Wouldn't risk it personally.

mrsfollowill · 01/09/2021 23:41

Has DH considered a vasectomy? mine had one 10 yrs ago aged 40 -we knew we no longer wanted further DC -uncomfortable for a couple of days but nothing like childbirth....and no worries about contraception for the last 10 years.

ZednotZee · 01/09/2021 23:45

A friend of my aunt's had a surprise pregnancy at fifty four and went to term.

Its very rare but it does happen.

I'd say go for a vasectomy or use a diaphragm

MrsRockAndRoll · 01/09/2021 23:49

Vasectomy

hippychick10 · 01/09/2021 23:54

Get a Mirena coil and then when you hit menopause which could be soon, you're halfway there for HRT (just add Oestrogel)!

DramaAlpaca · 01/09/2021 23:55

I know of a woman who had her last child at 51. I wouldn't risk not using contraception.

If you can find someone who'd fit you with a diaphragm that would be ideal. It's not a popular option these days so nurses with experience of fitting are hard to find.

TableFlowerss · 02/09/2021 00:30

@ZednotZee

A friend of my aunt's had a surprise pregnancy at fifty four and went to term.

Its very rare but it does happen.

I'd say go for a vasectomy or use a diaphragm

😮😯😦
ZednotZee · 02/09/2021 00:34

@TableFlowerss

The DC is now eighteen and doted on by their siblings who are in their forties.

Mum and dad still with us albeit retired and in their seventies.

TableFlowerss · 02/09/2021 00:35

[quote ZednotZee]@TableFlowerss

The DC is now eighteen and doted on by their siblings who are in their forties.

Mum and dad still with us albeit retired and in their seventies.[/quote]
That’s incredible under the circumstances. Bet it took a while to sink in 🤣

Melroses · 02/09/2021 00:39

If you want to scare yourself, you can google Dawn Brooke.

Most of the 'surprise mums' seem to be about 53 when they have the child.

At some point I tried finding abortion figures for over 50s - difficult as they are very low and lumped in with over 40s.

There is always the non PIV option.

ZednotZee · 02/09/2021 00:45

@TableFlowerss

Yes, the poor woman was distraught at the time.
Being the subject of office gossip didn't help.
Still, all's well that ends well.

WeAllHaveWings · 02/09/2021 07:25

I wouldn't risk it, obvious answer is dh gets the snip ✂️

Has he considered it?

Original poster
mumsnoangel · 02/09/2021 12:49

Thanks for all the replies. My dh was relieved we'd got to this stage without a vasectomy. He wouldn't be keen but for some strange reason things no longer work with a condom. His choice I guess, vasectomy or unsatisfying sex!

OP posts:
JinglingHellsBells · 02/09/2021 13:58

The rule is you need to be 12 months without a period if you are over 50 to do without contraception.

What about the mini pill?

The only way to do it otherwise is to accept you would go for a termination unless you want another baby.

JinglingHellsBells · 02/09/2021 13:59

Why put your DH through the snip when you might only need birth control for another 6 months or so?

Talk to your GP and discuss.

Mini pill ought to work fine for someone your age.

Popitdontstopit · 02/09/2021 14:03

Although it may be very unlikely for a pg to go to term in your 50s, how would you feel to be pg and miscarry? I know how I would feel, so still use contraception and will continue to do for some time.

bellmyring · 04/09/2021 08:52

Have similar issues with DH and finishing in 50s with condom. This is probably tmi, but we didn’t use them and he didn’t cum inside. It actually worked ok for us…but even that is not risk free.

No easy answer I’m afraid

thedevilinablackdress · 04/09/2021 09:00

This is useful: FSRH Clinical Guideline: Contraception for Women Aged over 40 Years
www.fsrh.org/standards-and-guidance/fsrh-guidelines-and-statements/contraception-for-specific-populations/aged-over-40/

It makes several recommendations for over 50s

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