Contraception after the age of 40 is still needed - even though the ovaries gradually go silent and the woman has fewer and fewer fertile cycles. Contraception for a 40-year-old girl should take into account her he alth, because after the age of 40, the first chronic diseases appear. Check which methods of contraception are recommended to women before the menopause.

What methodof contraception over 40to choose? The answer to this question is ambiguous and depends largely on sexual activity. When a woman enters the menopause, it does not mean that her sex life is dying out, on the contrary - it sometimes becomes more vivid. If you want to avoid an unwanted pregnancy, despite the reduced fertility, you still need to protect yourself.

Why is contraception in your 40s important?

After forty, the function of the ovaries gradually ceases, ovulation does not occur in every monthly cycle. With time, anovulatory cycles are becoming more frequent, so the likelihood of conception decreases. Still, if you're not planning on becoming a mother, don't count on luck as nature can play a trick on you. As long as menstruation continues, pregnancy is still possible. So if you don't want to risk late maternity, you should use contraception during this transitional period, even if your menstrual periods are irregular or sparse.

Even if you know your body well and have been able to predict the moment of ovulation so far, now it can be more difficult as the cycles can be irregular. One can speak of complete loss of ovarian function only after a year has passed since the last menstruation.

It is worth discussing this matter with your gynecologist, who will accurately assess the degree of fertility on the basis of follitropin (FSH) and estradiol levels. If it turns out that you should continue to protect yourself, the doctor will work with you to determine the best contraception and whether you need to change your current method to another, better suited.

Contraceptive pills for women over 40

Many specialists in the period before menopause recommend oral hormonal contraception. It can also be used by those ladies who have not used it so far. The contraceptive pill can have many benefits during this period - the right dose of female hormones to compensate for their natural decrease,may protect against endometrial hyperplasia and bleeding, reduce the risk of breast cancer, and delay the development of osteoporosis. Hormonal contraception also regulates the cycles and relieves the first symptoms of menopause, thanks to which it allows for a smooth transition to the menopausal period.

An additional dose of hormones improves mood and increases the level of libido. Nevertheless, the supply of synthetic estrogens carries some risk to a middle-aged woman (it increases the level of cholesterol), which is why a single-component tablet with a low dose of estradiol is recommended during this period, which is also effective in protecting against pregnancy. After the onset of the menopause, a switch from hormonal contraception to hormone replacement therapy may be considered. There is no rule here either, the use of HRT has to be considered individually.

Contraception over 40 and chronic diseases

The contraceptive pill, despite its undoubted advantages, is not an ideal solution for all women over 40. The method of protection should be selected individually - in the case of mature women it is particularly important due to emerging he alth problems. After all, more than one 40-year-old has gynecological or oncological treatment behind him, chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, osteoporosis, rheumatic diseases may already manifest themselves, and the doctor must take this into account when selecting contraception. The contraceptive pill increases blood clotting, so it is not recommended in women suffering from diseases that damage the epithelium of blood vessels, posing a risk of blood clots and embolism (atherosclerosis, thromboembolism, diabetes, obesity, oncological diseases, chronic systemic inflammation, e.g. RA). For the same reason, caution should be exercised in the use of oral contraceptives in women with heart valves or hip replacements. Liver diseases (risk of gallstone disease) are a contraindication to oral hormonal contraception. In such cases, alternatives may be methods bypassing the digestive system, such as an intrauterine device that releases small doses of a hormone locally, a hormonal implant or a plaster. On the other hand, when considering the insertion of an intrauterine device (also a non-hormonal one), contraindications such as active or recurrent inflammation of the genital tract should be ruled out.

Important

Before starting hormonal contraception, basic tests should be performed, including blood count, liver tests, blood clotting test, blood pressure measurement, blood glucose determination to exclude contraindication diseases. When using hormonal contraception (not just oral), you should visit regularlya gynecologist, perform annual examinations: transvaginal ultrasound, cytology, breast ultrasound, and after the age of 50, mammography every 2 years.

Contraception over 40 and lifestyle

As you can see, taking care of your he alth gives you more options when choosing a method of contraception. But, for example, the addiction to smoking increases the risk of thrombosis in a smoker, and the doctor may find it inadvisable to prescribe oral hormonal contraception. He will probably also take into account whether his patient has intercourse regularly and often, or rather sporadically - in the first case it will be convenient to use long-term contraception, in the second - measures such as a hormonal vaginal ring, a hormonal patch or even a condom may be useful. A woman with a regulated, calm lifestyle may prefer the contraceptive pill, and the active and busy one who has no headache to remember to take the pill every day - means gradually releasing hormones: a subcutaneous implant or an IUD.

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Pregnancy