Discontinuing Birth Control Pill at 51
Question
I am a healthy 51 year old woman. I’ve been on the birth control pill for the past 17 years (Mircett). I am also on high blood pressure meds. I recently went in for my annual physical. My doctor decided to change the birth control pill to something called Yaz. The doctor said it is better for someone who is on blood pressure meds. My insurance doesn’t cover Yaz, and quite frankly after reading the information on Yaz, I decided to just not take any birth control pills anymore. It’s been a month since I’ve been off the pill. I thought I would have gotten a period and I haven’t. What should I expect? Also, is there a chance that I could get pregnant?? Thank you for your insight.
Karen
Answer
Last Updated: August 15, 2023
Dear Karen,
Congratulations on your insight to read up on this birth control pill; most women just do what their doctor recommends. You are in the reproductive category of both post pill and premenopause. In either case you may be anovulatory, experience a lack of menses for several months, have cycles that are irregular, experience episodes of unusual bleeding, or have hot flashes. There is always a chance you could ovulate resulting in a pregnancy, however with your long use of birth control and your age, it is less likely. You can learn NFP, and chart your cycles, to gain more insight into whether you are ovulating or not.
Sincerely, Winnie Neill
Congratulations on your insight to read up on this birth control pill; most women just do what their doctor recommends. You are in the reproductive category of both post pill and premenopause. In either case you may be anovulatory, experience a lack of menses for several months, have cycles that are irregular, experience episodes of unusual bleeding, or have hot flashes. There is always a chance you could ovulate resulting in a pregnancy, however with your long use of birth control and your age, it is less likely. You can learn NFP, and chart your cycles, to gain more insight into whether you are ovulating or not.
Sincerely, Winnie Neill
Answered By:
Winnie Neill, CFCP
Winnie Neill, a Professional Member of CANFP, is a certified FertilityCare Practitioner, and taught NFP 23 years in the Sacramento region. She served on the Sacramento Diocese NFP Advisory Board, the American Academy of NFP Board and the CANFP Executive Board. She and her husband Bob have been married 63 years
