Contraception options for the 50+

[uselesspancreas]

Hiya I'm hoping for some advice or people's opinions on the various options available and how they have affected you blood sugars etc.

I'm currently on the combined pill since I was a teen-agero to help with painful periods.
But I've been told yesterday by my GP's nurse I need to consider my options as when I turn 50 it's not recommended due to blood clots etc.

I've struggled for years with lows during that week I'm now on a pump so have a different Basel setting for the time.
I really don't want to make the wrong decision and end up battling with my blood sugars all over again.
So what have you done in my situation.

Nurse suggested
Coil , mini-pill, implant , injections
I'm definitely confused. Com
Thank you

 

[Stitch147]

I'm under 50 (44 at the mo) but gp advised I changed on to the mini pill a few years ago as I was overweight and he wanted to reduce the risk of blood clots. I very rarely have a period now, once or twice a year, I've not noticed any problems with my glucose levels when I do have one.
Hope that helps a bit.

 

[Thebearcametoo]

I’ve been on Mirena, mini pill, and norethisterone at various times for bleeding issues but all also have contraceptive aspects (Norethisterone needs to be a specific dose). Mirena is more likely to stop your bleeds but it will depend on your personal reaction to it. I bled mine out Mini pill in theory at least will give you lighter periods. It did for me for a while but then didn’t - but my body seems to be determined to bleed If you were staying on the combined pill I would say just run it without the week off so you didn’t bleed as it’s not necessary for your body to bleed If you’re considering the injections or implant it can be worth taking the mini pill for a few months just to see how you react to progesterone only as it’s likely to be similar to the injection and implant but obviously more easily stopped.
I think you’ll just need to pick one and try it. No one can predict how your body will react. It may also depend how close you think you are to menopause as the coil now has a 7 year lifespan so it may be that you don’t require contraception for that long (obviously you can have it removed but it may be a factor in your decision making)

 

[uselesspancreas]

I'm under 50 (44 at the mo) but gp advised I changed on to the mini pill a few years ago as I was overweight and he wanted to reduce the risk of blood clots. I very rarely have a period now, once or twice a year, I've not noticed any problems with my glucose levels when I do have one.
Hope that helps a bit.

Thank you for your reply much appreciated

 

[uselesspancreas]

I’ve been on Mirena, mini pill, and norethisterone at various times for bleeding issues but all also have contraceptive aspects (Norethisterone needs to be a specific dose). Mirena is more likely to stop your bleeds but it will depend on your personal reaction to it. I bled mine out Mini pill in theory at least will give you lighter periods. It did for me for a while but then didn’t - but my body seems to be determined to bleed If you were staying on the combined pill I would say just run it without the week off so you didn’t bleed as it’s not necessary for your body to bleed If you’re considering the injections or implant it can be worth taking the mini pill for a few months just to see how you react to progesterone only as it’s likely to be similar to the injection and implant but obviously more easily stopped.
I think you’ll just need to pick one and try it. No one can predict how your body will react. It may also depend how close you think you are to menopause as the coil now has a 7 year lifespan so it may be that you don’t require contraception for that long (obviously you can have it removed but it may be a factor in your decision making)

Thank you. Interesting to try the mini pill first before the injection. Good advice.

 

[Ditto]

This is very interesting, so how old do you think you could get pregnant at then? My daughter thinks she's missed the boat.

 

[Lucy Honeychurch]

All the ladies I know who are on contraception 50+ are on The Marina coil.

 

[Leadinglights]

This is very interesting, so how old do you think you could get pregnant at then? My daughter thinks she's missed the boat.

Mid forties, fairly common these days but in the past pretty rare. Having said that my daughter had a lady in her (she is an obstetrician) antenatal clinic who was 55

 

[helli]

I was on the Mirena coil to minimise bleeding due to fibroids but it also seemed to do a good job contraceptive wise.
It had no impact on my blood sugars and it minimised the bleeding for about 3 or 4 years when it was due to be replaced
Unfortunately, it did not minimise the fibroids which grew around the coil and made it difficult to removed and the second one did not go in properly (due to the fibroids) and the constant bleeding put a stop to the need for contraceptive until the fibroids were removed.

In case it is not clear - my problems with the Mirena had nothing to do with the coil - just my body being over-productive in ways I didn't want.

 

[Grannylorraine]

I use a Mirena Coil as well, although at 58 I think that ship has now sailed, but docs advised no issue in leaving it in for now. I initially had it fitted for painful periods and it worked for that as well and no bleeding at all since I had my first one put in about 15 years ago now.

 

[Thebearcametoo]

This is very interesting, so how old do you think you could get pregnant at then? My daughter thinks she's missed the boat.

It will vary massively from person to person but I know a few friends in their mid 40s who thought they were going into menopause and were actually pregnant. The oldest person I know who had a baby was 52 but needed some assistance with conception.

My mum’s periods didn’t stop until she was over 60. I doubt she would have been fertile that long but who knows.