Contraception during menopause

If you're approaching menopause, you might be wondering whether contraception is still something you need to think about. Although fertility does start to decline in the lead-up to menopause, if you're still having periods then pregnancy is possible, and contraception is still something to think about.

The good news is, there are a range of options available, and our pharmacists can offer support to help you find a method that suits your needs. Whether you're experiencing the early signs of perimenopause or you're approaching menopause itself, we can help you understand your options.

If you plan on being sexually active and avoiding pregnancy is important to you, then contraception should still be used during perimenopause.

Perimenopause refers to the 'lead up' to menopause, during which hormone levels start to change and your periods often become irregular. Some people assume that irregular periods means you can no longer get pregnant, but this isn't necessarily the case. Although fertility does start to decline during this time, it doesn't disappear overnight. If you're still ovulating, then pregnancy is still possible.

There's no one-size-fits-all approach to contraception during midlife. Many women continue using the same contraceptive method they're familiar with, while others might choose to switch to something that better suits their changing needs. This might also depend on what supplements and medication you're taking, as there are some medicines that can affect contraception.

Natural family planning methods such as fertility awareness (tracking periods) is not an effective method of contraception during perimenopause, as you're likely to experience more unpredictable, irregular cycles¹.

Other things to consider when choosing contraception during perimenopause:

• Some health conditions associated with menopause may mean that certain contraceptive methods aren’t advised
• Your age may limit the contraceptive methods available to you
• There may be a contraceptive method that can also relieve your menopause symptoms

Certain types of contraception cannot be taken alongside HRT. For example, hormonal contraception methods such as the combined pill, can't be taken alongside HRT due to the hormone levels in the medication. Progesterone-only methods such as the mini pill, and hormone-free methods such as barrier protection (condoms) are usually safe to use alongside HRT.

If you're taking HRT or considering starting it, it's worth checking with a healthcare professional to make sure it's safe to take alongside your contraception.

It's also important to remember that HRT is not a contraceptive. While chance of pregnancy does start to naturally decrease over the course of perimenopause, it's still possible, even when taking HRT.

Did you know: Many women taking consistent hormonal contraception may not realise when perimenopause has started². This is because the hormones in some contraceptive methods may mask or manage associated symptoms, and regulate periods. If you're unsure whether you've started menopause, a healthcare professional will be able to advise you.

Knowing when it's safe to stop using contraception to prevent pregnancy during menopause can depend on a number of factors, such as:

• Your age
• Whether you're still having periods
• The type of contraception you're using
• Whether you're taking HRT

If you're unsure whether you still need contraception, it's always worth seeking personalised advice from a healthcare professional.