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Contraception for the older woman
Bailliere'S Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology
|April 1, 1996
Summary
Choosing contraception for women over 40 requires careful consideration of declining fertility and increased health risks. Future contraceptives aim to enhance reproductive health for women approaching menopause.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Gerontology
- Women's Health
Background:
- Contraception presents unique challenges for women over 40.
- Declining fertility does not eliminate the risks of unplanned pregnancy, which can have severe social and medical consequences.
- Age-related changes like menstrual dysfunction and psychosexual difficulties can worsen contraceptive side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the challenges and considerations for contraception in women over 40.
- To discuss the evolving landscape of contraceptive choices and future developments.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on contraception for women over 40.
- Analysis of age-related physiological changes and their impact on contraceptive efficacy and safety.
- Examination of the risks and benefits of various contraceptive methods in this demographic.
Main Results:
- Combined hormonal contraception risks, especially cardiovascular disease, are more relevant as natural disease risk increases with age.
- Sexual activity and contraceptive patterns shift with age, making method selection individualized.
- The increasing use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may complicate decisions about long-term contraception.
Conclusions:
- The choice of contraception for women over 40 is highly individualized due to complex factors.
- Future contraceptive development should focus on improving reproductive health for women, particularly those nearing menopause.