“…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:

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:

“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:

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 A-Z related to Menopause and Pregnancy?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause and Pregnancy?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at: