Birth Control Pills over the age of 40?

TrinityR05

Anyone here on bcp's over the age of 40? I'm just curious to see how many are as I didn't think they are healthy to take especially 40 years of age and older. I have been considering it, but the side effects and risks seem to worry me.

chubby_checkers

This should be a conversation you have with your gynecologist.

TrinityR05

Thanks. I actually already did. She sort of pushes me to take them, but reading the label info is kind of scary. I used to take when I was younger with no issues. I wanted to see how many women 40 and over currently take them without any issues.

4legsRbetterthan2

TrinityR05 wrote: »

I'm just curious to see how many are as I didn't think they are healthy to take especially 40 years of age and older. I have been considering it, but the side effects and risks seem to worry me.

I wouldn't take them if you feel it's risky, there are plenty of other contraceptive options out there if that's why you're on them.

zyxst

46 and I take bcp. No side effects. If you don't want to take them, then don't.

Sharon_C

49 and I take them. Feel great. I take them to control my periods, not to control birth. My doctor was all for me taking them when I suggested it. One of the best decisions I made.

DanyellMcGinnis

TrinityR05 wrote: »

Thanks. I actually already did. She sort of pushes me to take them, but reading the label info is kind of scary. I used to take when I was younger with no issues. I wanted to see how many women 40 and over currently take them without any issues.

I am almost 40 but I am staying off them. When I was younger -- in my 20s, mind you -- I was getting leg cramps and elevated blood pressure from them (one of the low dose varieties). So if I was having those side effects then, no way am I going to take them now.

On the other hand, millions of women take them with no side effects.

anybeary

The symptoms of depression and lowered libido are just not worth it in my opinion.

VioletRojo

I'm 51 and take them to regulate my periods. My gynecologist says it's perfectly safe as long as you don't have risk factors.

Gisel2015

I started to get side effects from birth control pills; that was back in my early 30s. Since my husband and I didn't want to have anymore children (specially me), I decided that tubal ligation was the best thing to do. Not more worries.

bizgirl26

I was advised not to take them after age 35 but there were risk factors

PrincessMel72

I got a tubal ligation done 16 yrs ago. Best decision I ever could've made!

angelawallace6

I'm 45 and have been on oral bc since age 20. I'm married and not ready to have a baby at my age. lol

denversillygoose

I'm 40 and I take continuous bc (3 periods a year). I'd say the only major risk (for healthy women) is if you smoke.

Christine_72

I'm 45 and took the pill from age 17 AND smoked the whole time up until 2 years ago, when my husband finaaaalllly had a vasectomy. I didn't experience any negative side effects, but like all things, it's the luck of the draw.

There are many other birth control methods other than the pill, do they all cause possible complications after the age of 40, or is it just the pill?

zyxst

Christine_72 wrote: »

I'm 45 and took the pill from age 17 AND smoked the whole time up until 2 years ago, when my husband finaaaalllly had a vasectomy. I didn't experience any negative side effects, but like all things, it's the luck of the draw.

There are many other birth control methods other than the pill, do they all cause possible complications after the age of 40, or is it just the pill?

I believe every form of birth control has side effects. Some are lucky to not have any and some get pooped on.

bbell1985

I'm only 31 and nervous to take them again. I did throughout my 20s. I haven't had kids yet though.

kimny72

Christine_72 wrote: »

I'm 45 and took the pill from age 17 AND smoked the whole time up until 2 years ago, when my husband finaaaalllly had a vasectomy. I didn't experience any negative side effects, but like all things, it's the luck of the draw.

There are many other birth control methods other than the pill, do they all cause possible complications after the age of 40, or is it just the pill?

My doctor wanted me off the pill once I hit 40 because I get migraines. She suggested mirena because the hormones stay localized rather than circulating throughout the whole body so the risk is lessened. I decided to go without for the time being. I think I heard that progestin only methods are safer as well, but don't quote me on that! I guess it's the estrogen that increases the stroke risk, and that seems to be magnified for women who smoke, get migraines, and or are over a certain age.

TrinityR05

Thanks for all the replies. I wouldn't necessarily be taking them to prevent pregnancy. It would be mainly to ease my symptoms of monthly cramps as I cannot take any anti-inflammatory meds.

For those of you 40 years of age and older, what brand birth control pill are you on?

dutchandkiwi

I'm 48 and still on them Mostly for the cramps, moods and either heavy or non existent period and being unable to move for 1-2 days. Haven't had a period in over a decade (yes yes yes on doctors advice before anybody climbs in) I am on a very light combination pill
I spoke to my GP and pharmacist and they both stated not to worry about stopping until 50-52. I am scheduled for an appointment to discuss in 18 months time. With these modern light pills the amount of hormones you actually get is much much lower than any of the older generation pills.

CharlieBeansmomTracey

Im almost 43 and on them. have been off and on since I was 18 or 19. partly to control my periods(I am a really heavy bleeder without them) and also to prevent pregnancy. I dont want to use any IUDs,dont want the shot and dont want to get a tubal done. dr wants me though in the next few years or so to go off them and see where my hormone levels are without them. Im on a generic called nortrel 1/35.

leajas1

I'm 41 and still on the pill. My doc recently told me I should think about another form of birth control, but interestingly enough, it wasn't because of any health risk. She said that the pill will continue to cause monthly bleeding in women even if they start to go through menopause. She said I would have to start cycling off (in the next several years) to check to see if I still got regular periods.

I have no idea when my mother would have gone through menopause (which would be a great indicator for my time) because chemotherapy and radiation pushed into premature menopause in her early 40s.

midlomel1971

I'm 45 and still on the pill, but I'm kind of done with them. I am going to talk to my doc about it at my next appt. I need to know pros and cons. I'm leaning toward my husband getting snipped, which he's fine with. We just haven't made a decision.

leajas1

midlomel1971 wrote: »

I'm 45 and still on the pill, but I'm kind of done with them. I am going to talk to my doc about it at my next appt. I need to know pros and cons. I'm leaning toward my husband getting snipped, which he's fine with. We just haven't made a decision.

My husband refuses! So, after our second child I decided to call his bluff and and insist on condoms instead of having me continue to take care of the birth control. He lasted three years and I'm the one who finally gave in!

Edit to change my emoji - the winky face just didn't go.

dbanks80

I got my tubes tied at age 26.

manderson27

I stayed on the bc pill after (micronor) which is a pill designed for the over 30's until I was 55 My GP told me I didn't need to be on it anymore when I was 50 as I was well into the menopause but I was paranoid about getting pregnant. She did however agree that it helped keep my oestrogen level so the symptoms of the menopause were not as severe as they could have been.

I never had any problems with any of my birth control medication and did not feel any different when I stopped taking it.

kimny72

TrinityR05 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. I wouldn't necessarily be taking them to prevent pregnancy. It would be mainly to ease my symptoms of monthly cramps as I cannot take any anti-inflammatory meds.

For those of you 40 years of age and older, what brand birth control pill are you on?

I had been on a bunch of different generic versions of Loestrin since my 20s. When my doctor wanted me off at 40, she said if I really wanted to stay on, there was a low dose version called Lo-loestrin that would be lower risk due to the lower dose. But this was before Obamacare and there was no generic so it would have cost me like $90 a month which I just couldn't do.

lkpducky

@manderson27 did you still have periods while on Micronor and before menopause? Mine lightened and then stopped outright when I was in my late forties. Micronor can stop periods. I'm 51 and barely had menopausal symptoms, but my gyn took me off it back in January because I hadn't had a period in a year - and then had a period 2 months later, but she called it breakthrough bleeding.

bbell1985

This thread is making me reconsider taking birth control. I was just so shocked by my symptoms when I came off it in my late 20s (health insurance ran out), I've been nervous to try again. I was in so much pain when I ovulated, and it's been painful ever since.

Christine_72

bbell1985 wrote: »

This thread is making me reconsider taking birth control. I was just so shocked by my symptoms when I came off it in my late 20s (health insurance ran out), I've been nervous to try again. I was in so much pain when I ovulated, and it's been painful ever since.

I never had pms/ovulation symptoms while i was on the pill. But i'm off the pill now, and still don't get any warning signs when my periods are coming. So whether I'm just lucky, or all of those years on the pill changed something, who knows??

I just feel like i'm the odd (lucky) one out, when i continuously read about women having cravings, being in pain, lethargic etc etc. I have never experienced any of those things. I might get a bit peckish a day or two before they arrive, but i think that's more of a mental thing.. Because i only noticed this happening after i came on here and read about other women experiencing the munchies.

bbell1985

Christine_72 wrote: »

bbell1985 wrote: »

This thread is making me reconsider taking birth control. I was just so shocked by my symptoms when I came off it in my late 20s (health insurance ran out), I've been nervous to try again. I was in so much pain when I ovulated, and it's been painful ever since.

I never had pms/ovulation symptoms while i was on the pill. But i'm off the pill now, and still don't get any warning signs when my periods are coming. So whether I'm just lucky, or all of those years on the pill changed something, who knows??

I just feel like i'm the odd (lucky) one out, when i continuously read about women having cravings, being in pain, lethargic etc etc. I have never experienced any of those things. I might get a bit peckish a day or two before they arrive, but i think that's more of a mental thing.. Because i only noticed this happening after i came on here and read about other women experiencing the munchies.

My mom is like that. She never understood what I was going through though she did pull me out of school once in early high school because my cramps got so bad I could barely walk. I am also very aware of my body. I feel myself ovulate. There are also physical signs that seem like should be obvious for all women.

This month my cramps were so bad I was awake from 3 am to the time I left for work. Screaming in agony while lying at the bottom of the shower. At one point I was lying on my hardwood living room floor just yelling "why?? why?? why??"

So yeah, you're lucky.