Menopause and Pregnancy

“…women do still get pregnant in their late 40s and
even into their 50s (without using assisted reproduction
techniques). So contraception should be continued until…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Menopause and Pregnancy Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Birth Control
  • Conception
  • Contraception
  • Pregnancy
  • Unplanned Pregnancy

Perimenopause

Is it possible to become pregnant during perimenopause?

In Looking After Yourself: Sex and Relationships – Contraception During Menopause the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) elaborate on:

“Your fertility will decline as you age, but while you still ovulate it is possible to get pregnant. In the lead-up to menopause, you can ovulate twice during one cycle. And you can still ovulate up to three months before your final period”.2

On page one in Contraception for the Older Woman the (British) Women’s Health Concern (WHC) note:

“Many women are aware that their fertility declines from their mid 30s and think they can stop using contraception once they are in their 40s. They wrongly assume – because their fertility is lower, they have less sex and their periods may have become irregular – that contraception can be abandoned. However, women do still get pregnant in their late 40s and even into their 50s (without using assisted reproduction techniques). So contraception should be continued until menopause, which is defined as two years after the last natural menstrual period in women under age 50 and until one year after the last natural menstrual period in women over age 50. If menopause cannot be confirmed, contraception should be continued until age 55”.3

Pregnancy 45-49 Years

What is the possibility of pregnancy aged 45-49 years?

In Looking After Yourself: Sex and Relationships – Contraception During Menopause the JH explain:

Menopause and Pregnancy “The possibility of pregnancy in women aged 45–49 years is estimated to be 2–3% per year”.4

Pregnancy After 50

What is the possibility of pregnancy after the age of 50?

In Looking After Yourself: Sex and Relationships – Contraception During Menopause the JH note:

“After the age of 50, it’s less than 1%”.5

Contraception Younger Than 50

If younger than 50, can contraception be ceased?

In Looking After Yourself: Sex and Relationships – Contraception During Menopause: When Is It Safe To Stop Contraception? the JH elaborate on:

“If you’re younger than 50 and you don’t want to fall pregnant, you should use contraception for at least two years after your final period”.6

Contraception 50 or Older

If 50 or older, can contraception be ceased?

In Looking After Yourself: Sex and Relationships – Contraception During Menopause: When Is It Safe To Stop Contraception? the JH elaborate on:

“If you’re 50 or older and you don’t want to fall pregnant, you should use contraception for at least one year after your final period. Keep in mind, MHT is not a contraceptive”.7

Contraception After 55

After aged 55, can contraception be ceased?

In Contraception and the Menopause the European Menopause and Andropause Society note:

“Cessation of contraception should be considered after age 55 as spontaneous conception is extremely rare for these women”.8

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Is hormone replacement therapy (HRT) a method of contraceptive?

No. On page four in Contraception for the Older Woman: Hormone Replacement Therapy the WHC note:

“It is important to realise that HRT is not a method of contraception”.9

HRT + Contraception

Can HRT + contraception be necessary?

On page four in Contraception for the Older Woman: Hormone Replacement Therapy the WHC explain:

“If periods have not stopped before starting HRT then a method of contraception should be used in addition to HRT. Suitable methods to consider would be barrier methods, an IUD, the progestogen-only pill or the IUS. As well as being an effective method of contraception, the Mirena® IUS has the additional advantage of providing the progestogen component of HRT and so minimises bleeding problems and other side-effects that might occur from the progestogen.

Once HRT has been started, it can be difficult to know when contraception can be stopped since HRT will often produce regular monthly bleeds. It is best to continue contraception alongside HRT until the age of 55 when contraception is no longer needed”.10

Emergency Contraception

Is emergency contraception available?

Depending on the Country, emergency contraception may be available. Your Country may have a Link similar to the American College of Gynecologist’s Emergency Contraception: Frequently Asked Questions.

Health Care Provider

What if I would like to find out what is the best contraception for me?

 The JH advises:

“Talk to your doctor about the best contraception for you”.11

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Menopause and Pregnancy?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause and Pregnancy?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

  1. Aging Changes In the Female Reproductive System
  2. Barrier Methods of Birth Control: Spermicide, Condom, Sponge, Diaphragm, and Cervical Cap
  3. Birth Control
  4. Birth Control
  5. Birth Control Chart
  6. Birth Control Methods
  7. Combined Hormonal Birth Control: Pill, Patch, and Ring
  8. Contraception
  9. Contraception
  10. Contraception Choices: Know All Your Options
  11. Contraception and the Menopause
  12. Contraception for the Older Women
  13. Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Science Conversation: Science In 5: Episode #80 – Abortion
  14. Emergency Contraception: Frequently Asked Questions
  15. Ending A Pregnancy
  16. Estrogen & Hormones: Post Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy – Is HRT the Same As Birth Control?
  17. Female Condom
  18. Female Condoms
  19. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  20. Leaflets: Contraception for Older Women
  21. Looking After Yourself
  22. Menopause
  23. Menopause
  24. Menopause
  25. Menopause
  26. Menopause Basics: Should I Continue Using Birth Control During the Transition To Menopause?
  27. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  28. Menopause FAQs: An Introduction To Menopause: Q Now That My Periods Have Stopped, Can I Discontinue Contraceptives?
  29. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
  30. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Understanding Menstrual Health and Menopause
  31. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
  32. Perimenopause
  33. Perimenopause Birth Control: What Are My Options?
  34. Perimenopause: Can You Get pregnant After Menopause?
  35. Progestin-Only Hormonal Birth Control: Pill and Injection
  36. Stages of Menopause
  37. The Female Condom [+ Image]
  38. Video Series-2021: Importance of Birth Control in Perimenopause
  39. Video Series-2021: Importance of Contraception at Perimenopause
  40. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  41. Webinars: Previous – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women
  42. Webinars: Previous – Perimenopause Contraception
  43. What’s the Difference Between the Mini-Pill and ‘The Pill’ — Ask Dr Jean
  44. Which Method of Contraception Is Right for Me?
  45. Yarning About Contraception
  46. Your Contraception Guide [United Kingdom]
  47. Your Contraception Guide: Combined Pill
  48. Your Contraception Guide: Condom Tips
  49. Your Contraception Guide: Condoms
  50. Your Contraception Guide: Female Condoms
  51. Your Contraception Guide: How Do I Know I’ve Reached Menopause If I’m on the Pill?
  52. Your Contraception Guide: IUD (Intrauterine Device)
  53. Your Contraception Guide: Which Method of Contraception Suits Me?

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Contraception for the Older Woman. Updated: November 2022:1. British Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/contraception-older-woman/ Accessed: 03 December 2022
  2. Looking After Yourself: Sex and Relationships – Contraception During Menopause. Last Updated: 03 October 2022 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself Accessed: 03 December 2022
  3. Contraception for the Older Woman. Updated: November 2022:1. British Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/contraception-older-woman/ Accessed: 03 December 2022
  4. Looking After Yourself: Sex and Relationships – Contraception During Menopause. Last Updated: 03 October 2022 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself Accessed: 03 December 2022
  5. Looking After Yourself: Sex and Relationships – Contraception During Menopause. Last Updated: 03 October 2022 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself Accessed: 03 December 2022
  6. Looking After Yourself: Sex and Relationships – Contraception During Menopause: When Is It Safe To Stop Contraception? Last Updated: 03 October 2022 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself Accessed: 03 December 2022
  7. Looking After Yourself: Sex and Relationships – Contraception During Menopause: When Is It Safe To Stop Contraception? Last Updated: 03 October 2022 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself Accessed: 03 December 2022
  8. Contraception and the Menopause. 2022. European Menopause and Andropause Society https://emas-online.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Contraception-and-the-menopause.pdf Accessed: 03 December 2022
  9. Contraception for the Older Woman: Hormone Replacement Therapy. Updated: November 2022:4. British Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/contraception-older-woman/ Accessed: 03 December 2022
  10. Contraception for the Older Woman: Hormone Replacement Therapy. Updated: November 2022:4. British Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/contraception-older-woman/ Accessed: 03 December 2022
  11. Looking After Yourself: Sex and Relationships – Contraception During Menopause: When Is It Safe To Stop Contraception? Last Updated: 03 October 2022 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself Accessed: 03 December 2022
Topic Last Updated: 03 December 2022 – Topic Last Reviewed: 03 December 2022

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