I’m in My 40s: Do I Still Need Birth Control?

Age has some advantages, and many women think that no longer needing birth control is one of them. However, unless you haven’t had a period at all for 12 consecutive months, you can still get pregnant.

At A Woman’s Wellspring, Stephanie Taylor, MD, PhD, provides birth control counseling and family planning services, as well as menopause support. If you know that you’re approaching menopause, or have symptoms of perimenopause, you need to be aware that you can still get pregnant, and that pregnancy carries more risks. 

The surprising facts

Even if you’ve missed a few periods or you don’t have intercourse often, you should continue using contraception. Many women stop using birth control in their 40s; around 75% of pregnancies in women over 40 are unplanned. 

If you want to get pregnant, all of this may come as good news. If you don’t, though, take precautions. Talk to Dr. Taylor about your birth control options. 

It’s also important to understand that the older you are, the higher your risk of complications during pregnancy. This doesn’t mean you can’t have a healthy pregnancy, but being aware of your risks can help you mitigate them. If you’d like to become pregnant in your 40s, you should discuss the risks with Dr. Taylor. 

Choosing a contraceptive method

Both your body and your life are probably different in your 40s or 50s than in your 20s or 30s, and you may need to consider a different form of birth control than you used in the past. Some women with perimenopausal symptoms, such as dryness or hot flashes, could get some relief from hormonal birth control. 

But, if you’ve taken daily birth control for years and you’d like to stop, you may want to consider other options such as condoms or a diaphragm. If you have health issues that prevent you from using hormonal birth control, you may need an option that doesn’t contain estrogen. 

When can I stop? 

Menopause is exactly one day—the day you’ve gone 12 months without having a menstrual period. After that day, you’re post-menopausal, and you can safely stop using birth control. Between 90 and 95% of women are post-menopausal by the age of 55. 

Having support and an expert who is happy to answer your questions can make the transition from birth control to menopause much less worrisome. Schedule your appointment at A Woman’s Well Spring today, and discuss your contraceptive needs with Dr. Taylor.