The National Institute on Aging reports that the average woman reaches menopause, the time when the menstrual cycle stops and the childbearing years are over, at about age 51. Therefore, if you are in your 40s, pregnancy may still occur. If you do not want to have children after you reach the age of 40, there are a few ways to prevent pregnancy. It is important for you to understand each of them.
Step 1
Consult your gynecologist or primary physician. He can give you a complete physical and advise you of any birth control methods that you should not use due to your specific medical history. This is especially important if you have existing health problems, as not all birth control methods are compatible with certain conditions such as history of blood clots.
Step 2
Undergo surgical sterilization if you are certain that you will not want to have children after age 40. Either you or your partner may have this surgery. Female sterilization involves tying, burning or placing implants into the Fallopian tubes so that an egg may not travel through them to the uterus. In male sterilization, the vas deferens, which carries sperm from the testicles, is blocked so that the ejaculate contains no sperm.
Step 3
Take the birth control pill if you are comfortable with dealing with birth control every day. Follow the directions included in the pill package exactly, as skipping pills may increase your chance of pregnancy. You will need a doctor's prescription.
Step 4
Ask your doctor for the birth control patch, ring, shot or IUD if you would prefer to deal with birth control less often. Each of these types of birth control have different directions for use. Replace the patch with a new one weekly for three weeks, then go one week without a patch. Insert a vaginal ring and keep it in place for three weeks, then wait one week before inserting a new one. Visit your doctor every three months to get the birth control shot.
Undergo IUD insertion for long-term birth control with little action on your part. Hormonal IUDs may stay in place for up to 5 years and non-hormonal varieties may be left alone for up to 10 years.
Step 5
Study birth control methods that only require action each time you have sexual intercourse if you and your partner are committed to consistent use. Insert a contraceptive sponge, cervical cap or diaphragm prior to sexual intercourse. Visit your doctor to be fitted for a cervical cap or diaphragm. Leave the device in place for at least six to eight hours after intercourse. Use a new male or female condom with each act of sexual intercourse.
Step 6
Watch for signs of ovulation, like changes in cervical mucus. Avoid intercourse when your cervical mucus looks like egg whites, as this is when you are most fertile.
Tips and Warnings
- The condom, male or female, is the only birth control method that also prevents sexually transmitted diseases. Only latex or polyurethane condoms offer this protection. Sexual abstinence is the only foolproof method of birth control at any age.
- If you smoke, the birth control pill may not be the best option for avoiding pregnancy after 40 years old, as it may lead to an increased risk of blood clots, stroke and heart attack. Never use male and female condoms at the same time, as they may stick together and break. Do not use petroleum jelly or other oil-based lubricants with condoms, as the oil can cause breaks in the condom.
