Until you’ve reached menopause (defined as 12 months without a period), you can still get pregnant, so some form of birth control is called for. Birth control choices for older women are basically the same as their younger counterparts’: hormonal birth control such as the Pill or vaginal ring; the IUD; barrier methods such as condoms, sponge or diaphragm, and the rhythm method. Many women in perimenopause choose hormonal methods, as those can come with the added benefit of reducing menopause symptoms. However, older women may be slightly more at risk of blood clots or other side effects, so it’s worth having a detailed conversation with your ob/gyn.
Do I need birth control in perimenopause? Which kind is best?
