Women who menopause under the age of 50 require contraception for at least 2 years after their last menstrual period. Those over the age of 50 require only 1 year of contraception.

Most appropriate option - IUS

Specific methods

Combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP)

• COCP use in the perimenopausal period may help to maintain bone mineral density
• COCP use may help reduce menopausal symptoms
• a pill containing < 30 µg ethinylestradiol may be more suitable for women > 40 years

Depo-Provera - discontinue injectable contraceptives after 50 yrs

• women should be advised there may be a delay in the return of fertility of up to 1 year for women > 40 years
• use is associated with a small loss in bone mineral density which is usually recovered after discontinuation

Stopping contraception: