Pop quiz – at what age is it no longer possible to become pregnant? It’s a trick question, because there isn’t a specific age when you’re too old to have a baby.
Many women in their 40s wrongly assume that they can’t become pregnant and some stop taking contraceptives. But women do still get pregnant in their late 40s and even into their 50s without fertility treatments.
Giving Birth Later in Life
A pregnancy in your 40s can mean more health risks for you and may derail plans to enjoy more freedom as your children grow up. That’s why it’s important to use effective contraception until you reach menopause, which is one year after you stop having periods.
Birth Control Options for Older Women
Your choices for birth control in your 40s are much the same as when you were younger. Barrier methods such as condoms and diaphragms that are used along with spermicides can be effective to prevent pregnancy and lower the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
Combined hormonal contraceptives like the pill, patch or vaginal ring can be used until age 50, so long as there are no health risks like smoking, obesity or high blood pressure that could lead to heart, stroke or blood clotting problems. An alternative for hormonal contraception is the progestogen-only pill, also called a POP or mini-pill, that can safely be used until the age of 55.
Another choice for contraception in your 40s is a hormone-releasing intrauterine device (IUD) that may also reduce pain and bleeding during your period. An IUD can also be used with hormone replacement therapy that reduces menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.
Surgical Birth Control
Sterilization, such as tubal ligation for you or a vasectomy for your partner is birth control that’s permanent and an option for couples in their 40s who don’t want more children.
Whatever you use, remember that contraception is something that’s necessary to prevent pregnancy for all your reproductive years from your teens until menopause, so talk with your doctor about which method is right for you.
Schedule a Gynecologist Appointment in Brownstown & Southgate, MI
Northline Women’s Health Center is here to serve you with any gynecology need with offices in Southgate and Brownstown. You can request an appointment at NorthlineWomensHealthCenter.com.
