46 & want to go off the pill

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-07-1999
46 & want to go off the pill
4
Wed, 04-11-2007 - 3:14pm

Hi,

I am 46 years old and have been on the pill for over 25 years. I am seeing my Dr next month for a gyno exam and will discuss all this with her then, but I thought I'd get some guidance here, either in the form of answers, or questions I could ask my Dr.

I want to go off the pill and was wondering what my odds are of getting pregnant if I do not use any type of birth control. I want to give my body a rest from any type of birth control, but also do not want to find myself pregnant. I have an active sex life and figured that would increase the odds.

I can't imagine that at 46 my eggs are still any good. I have been taking the pill non stop (with Dr's permission and blessings) for about a year now, to avoid the bother of a period. It's been great, except I don't even know if I even still do get a period and how regular they would be. Before I went on the pill my periods were always very regular.

Any light anyone can shed on this would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
Wed, 04-11-2007 - 4:49pm
I don't know what rules you go by to decide that you are no longer fertile, especially if you have been on hormonal bc. My granny had her last child on her 44th birthday so I'm sure I'll be paranoid for a long time.
I'm 36:) I'm interested to see how you are advised.
Holly
Holly
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2005
Wed, 04-11-2007 - 4:54pm
By wanting a break from birth control, do you mean you don't want to use *any* form of birth control, or you just want to get off hormones? If you want to get off hormones, there are lots of options, including non-hormonal IUD's diaphrams, condoms, and fertility awareness methods. But, if you mean you don't want to use *any* form of bc, I'm sorry, but you *can* still get pregnant. If you are still menstruating, even if it is irregularly, you may still be ovulating. Yes, women over 35 generally have a harder time conceiveing, but it does happen. I know one couple in their 40's who got a little surprise just as their youngest son was graduating from high school! So, if you really don't want to get pregnant, I would discuss some of these other options with your doctor.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 04-11-2007 - 10:01pm

Hi lovinsummer, welcome!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2003
Fri, 04-13-2007 - 12:43pm

A couple of years ago, at age 38 I saw my regular family practioner for a physical. He asked what type of birth control I was using. I told him I was charting my cycles and using NFP. He told me the little joke about what do you call a couple who uses that? Parents. Yeah, I got pregnant next month. I got pregnant with my last 3 pregnancies (1 mc) at age 35, 36, 38. My mom went through menopause in her early 40s, my sister is 47 and is hoping to finish up her year so she can say she's there. I am apparently very fertile. Those eggs can still be good, I have 2 very healthy children to prove it. Chances are less as you get older, but are you willing to live with the possibility of a baby?

I had the copper IUD placed last September (I hadn't had a period in months). I didn't really like it for a few months. I now am very glad I have it. I had baby fever (again) when I had it placed. Especially wanted a boy (I've got all girls, 4, yikes). At this point, I've got arthritis kicking in and I'm very glad I had it done when I did. I think my periods are back to what they were after having last baby and bfeeding. I don't even know the IUD is there, DH doesn't feel it and life is wonderful. It's good for 10 years, which should get me through menopause with my family history. I was very concerned about the increase in cramping and bleeding that is mentioned everywhere with the copper IUD, but I think I'm back pretty close to my normal cycle. I wanted to be hormone free, and didn't like the idea of the Mirena causing me to lose my cycles and never knowing if I had passed menopause.

Best wishes in what you decide.

Sallie