Contraception during menopause

That’s how long contraception is important during menopause

Your cycle becomes more and more irregular during menopause. It is even possible that the menstrual period stops completely for a while. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant. It is impossible to predict when you will enter menopause . For some women, this period begins in their early 40s, while others don’t reach the menopause until they are 50.

• Only when your period hasn’t happened for a whole year do you find yourself in menopause and can no longer have children.
• If your menstruation stops before the age of 50, gynecologists recommend using contraception for up to two more years. Otherwise you risk an unwanted pregnancy, since isolated ovulations can still occur from time to time.
• Between three and five years before the onset of menopause, the so-called anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) decreases. This hormone provides information about the number of eggs produced.
• Your gynecologist can do a test to determine your AMH level. The result serves as an orientation as to whether you are already in the menopause. If the value can no longer be measured in a test, this does not automatically mean that you can no longer have children. Your doctor will give you detailed information on this.

Contraceptive methods during menopause

The pill is not the best contraceptive during the menopause . This is because the pill poses various dangers for women over 40. For example, the risk of a stroke or heart attack increases if you suffer from high blood pressure. Consult with your gynecologist and get advice on the various options.

• The first option is to switch to the minipill. This contains fewer hormones than the normal pill and thus your health risk is reduced.
• A hormone or copper IUD can also be a good contraceptive method for you. The copper spiral does not require hormones and therefore does not pose any cardiovascular risks for you. The downside is that many women experience heavy and painful periods.
• The big advantage of a hormone spiral is that the menstrual period usually stops completely due to the hormone release. Depending on the model and type, the spiral can remain in the uterus for between three and ten years.
• Sterilization is another option to prevent pregnancy. In men, the so-called vasectomy is easier to perform and cheaper than in women. Here you should talk to your partner.
• Of course, condoms or a diaphragm can still be used.
• Natural contraception without hormones, spirals or condoms is not recommended during the menopause. As your cycle becomes more irregular, methods such as the calendar method or the  temperature method are rather uncertain.