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 Pregnancy

Is it possible to get pregnant during perimenopause?

In Looking After Yourself During Menopause: 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 in women aged 45-49 years?

In Looking After Yourself During Menopause: 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 in women after the age of 50?

In Looking After Yourself During Menopause: 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 stopped?

In Looking After Yourself During Menopause: 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 stopped?

In Looking After Yourself During Menopause: 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 stopped?

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

Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill

What is recommended for the perimenopausal woman needing contraception?

In The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause, published online 30 October 2023, the authors explain:

“For the perimenopausal woman needing contraception, the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) provides contraception, menstrual cycle control and relief from VMS and other symptoms. It also prevents bone loss and treats acne that can occur at this time. Each woman’s risks must be assessed including smoking status, blood pressure, lipid profile, migraine with aura history, thrombosis and cardiovascular disease risk, and family history”.9

Hormone Replacement Therapy

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

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”.10

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”.11

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”.12

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z 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.

New or Updated

  1. A Guide To Birth Control In Your 40s and 50s
  2. ACOG Explains: Birth Control [+ Video] [American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists]
  3. Aging Changes In the Female Reproductive System
  4. Birth Control
  5. Birth Control
  6. Birth Control Methods
  7. Birth Control Options: Things To Consider
  8. Can You Get Pregnant After Menopause?
  9. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  10. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  11. Menopause and Pregnancy Contraception
  12. Contraception
  13. Contraception
  14. Contraception Choices: Know All Your Options
  15. Contraception and the Menopause
  16. Contraception for the Older Women
  17. Contraception: Methods of Contraception – Choosing A Method of Contraception
  18. Contraception: Methods of Contraception – Combined Pill
  19. Contraception: Methods of Contraception – Condoms
  20. Contraception: Methods of Contraception – Diaphragm or Cap
  21. Contraception: Methods of Contraception – IUD (Intrauterine Device) or Copper Coil
  22. Contraception: Methods of Contraception – Internal (Female) Condoms
  23. Contraception Choices: Know All Your Options
  24. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: EMAS/ESE Webinar Part 1: Fertility In Late Reproductive Age [May 2024]
  25. Experts Answer Your Menopause Questions In New Video
  26. FAQs: Barrier Methods of Birth Control: Spermicide, Condom, Sponge, Diaphragm, and Cervical Cap
  27. FAQs: Combined Hormonal Birth Control: Pill, Patch, and Ring
  28. FAQs: Emergency Contraception
  29. Female Condoms
  30. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  31. Find An AMS Member [Australasian Menopause Society: Australia and New Zealand]
  32. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  33. First Symptoms of Menopause
  34. Here’s What You Need To Know About Menopause [Video]
  35. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Sexual Wellbeing, Intimacy and Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Is the End of Your Sex Life] [Other Languages and Formats]
  36. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  37. Looking After Yourself During Menopause
  38. Mayo Clinic Minute: Perimenopause and Menopause [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  39. Menopause
  40. Menopause
  41. Menopause
  42. Menopause
  43. Menopause
    Menopause and Pregnancy
  44. Menopause Checklist
  45. Menopause Basics: Should I Continue Using Birth Control During the Transition To Menopause?
  46. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
  47. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Understanding Menstrual Health and Menopause
  48. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide – Reproductive Aging and Midlife
  49. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024]
  50. Menopause: Identification and Management: NICE Guideline [NG23] Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024
  51. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  52. Mymenoplan.org [My Menoplan, United States]
  53. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  54. Navigating Menopause: Honest Answers To All Your Questions [+ Video: What To Expect in Menopause]
  55. Perimenopause
  56. Perimenopause
  57. Perimenopause: Can I Get Pregnant If I Am In  Perimenopause?
  58. Progestin-Only Hormonal Birth Control: Pill and Injection
  59. Stages of Menopause
  60. The Female Condom [+ Image]
  61. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  62. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Impending Menopause: How Can Fertility Be Preserved?
  63. Webinars: Previous – Perimenopausal Contraception
  64. When Does Perimenopause Start and How Do You Define the Beginning
  65. Women Don’t Have A ‘Surge’ In Fertility Before Menopause – but Surprise Pregnancies Can Happen, Even After 45

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: 30 January 2025
  2. Looking After Yourself During Menopause: Sex and Relationships – Contraception During Menopause. Last Updated: 20 September 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself Accessed: 30 January 2025
  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: 30 January 2025
  4. Looking After Yourself During Menopause: Sex and Relationships – Contraception During Menopause. Last Updated: 20 September 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself Accessed: 30 January 2025
  5. Looking After Yourself During Menopause: Sex and Relationships – Contraception During Menopause. Last Updated: 20 September 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself Accessed: 30 January 2025
  6. Looking After Yourself During Menopause: Sex and Relationships – Contraception During Menopause: When Is It Safe To Stop Contraception? Last Updated: 20 September 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself Accessed: 30 January 2025
  7. Looking After Yourself During Menopause: Sex and Relationships – Contraception During Menopause: When Is It Safe To Stop Contraception? Last Updated: 20 September 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself Accessed: 30 January 2025
  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: 30 January 2025
  9. Davis, S. R., Taylor, S., Hemachandra, C., Magraith, K., Ebeling, P. R., Jane, F., and Islam, R. M. The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause: Definitions. Published Online: 30 October 2023 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13697137.2023.2258783 Accessed: 30 January 2025
  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: 30 January 2025
  11. 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: 30 January 2025
  12. Looking After Yourself During Menopause: Sex and Relationships – Contraception During Menopause: When Is It Safe To Stop Contraception? Last Updated: 20 September 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself Accessed: 30 January 2025
Topic Last Updated: 30 January 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 30 January 2025

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