While it’s common knowledge to most women that fertility begins to decline after the age of 35, the ability to become pregnant is determined by menopause, and varies widely from woman to woman.
Unfortunately, according to research recently published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, women 40 and over are misinterpreting their natural decline in fertility to mean a complete lack of fertility after the age of 40, and are opting not to use contraception.
Dr. Rebecca H. Allen, MD, MPH, of Rhode Island’s Women & Infants Hospital, was one of the authors of the research, which was titled, “Contraception in Women Over 40 Years of Age,” and she emphasizes – as we do to our patients who are on their 40’s and beyond – that unless you are past the age of 50 and have gone without a period for at least a year, you should still use contraception.
Weighing Risks and Benefits
For many women, the choice to stop using birth control after 40 is in part a health concern. The hormonal changes that occur as women age have in the past made remaining on birth control pills potentially dangerous. Alternatives like condoms and spermicide can be inconvenient, which is why for so many years women who could no longer safely utilize hormone-based birth control methods simply avoided contraception altogether.
However, recent developments have seen a number of new hormone-based birth control methods that are safe for many women 40 and older. In addition, newer methods like Essure permanent birth control don’t affect the hormones at all, and give women even more contraception options.
Don’t Leave Pregnancy to Chance
The fact is, women can and do get pregnant after the age of 40, and assuming that entering the fourth decade of your life means that you can no longer conceive and have no need for birth control can result in unintended pregnancy, which can in some cases be dangerous for both mother and child.
Women over 40 who are concerned about the dangers of hormone-based birth control should talk to an OB/GYN about the numerous contraception methods available. With the wide range of methods in existence today, most women can find a safe, convenient option.
If you are a woman over 40 in the Gainesville or Lake City areas who would like to discuss your contraception options with a skilled, compassionate OB/GYN, contact the well woman care physicians at All About Women.
