By submitting this form, you agree to EmpowHER's, Magnesium Deficiency: A Commonly Overlooked Health Issue. Birth Control Options for Women Over 35 Who Smoke. Withdrawal Method: ("pull out" method): This is a method men and women use to prevent pregnancy during sex, when the man withdraws his penis from the vagina before ejaculating. I know nfp & fam have been discounted in pop culture & by ob/gyns, but they truly are an overlooked & effective bunch. The birth control method you used in your 20s or 30s may not be the best option in your 40s and 50s. Hell, I don't smoke, but I stopped hormonal BC at the age of 34 because I didn't want the risk. A smoker? Healthy women over 35 can safely use oral contraception, as long as they don't smoke, have normal blood pressure and have no history of cardiovascular disease. However, there are plenty of options that include only progestin, such as pills, injections, and an intrauterine device (IUD). It’s better not to go with an implant or a shot because it can take a while to ovulate after stopping, he says. In fact, you can keep using it until age 50. From blood clots to heart attack and stroke, many of the potential cardiovascular side effects of birth control pills become much more common and much more severe if you smoke cigarettes. by Rekha Basu on Jan 31, 2009, under Family, Opinion. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. ParaGuard IUD: Does not contain any hormones, and is inserted into your uterus, and replaced every five years. Receive the latest and greatest in women's health and wellness from EmpowHER - for free! Instead we recommend a mini pill like Cerazette and Cerelle, which contain only progesterone. Mirena IUD: IUD (intrauterine device) is inserted into your uterus, and contains progestin-only. I was going to use the Mirena IUC , but apparently my uterus is too short and it had to be removed immediately after insertion. If it's hormonal birth control that you're looking for, the Depo-Provera shot may be your best bet. Thank you for your additional information, and feel free to provide more information about each family planning method. It is more than 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. If you smoke: Don’t use contraception that contains estrogen, says Alice Chuang, MD, assistant professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill. By Deborah Kotz , Contributor Jan. 13, 2009 I would wager that applies to any hormonal birth control, so the Nuvaring would have been out as well. Luckily, there are convenient birth control options that are safe for smokers. For most women 35 and older, hormone-based birth control (like the Pill) is safe — but there are risks if you smoke or have a history of certain health conditions. Otherwise, modern birth control pills seem quite safe. The Right Birth Control for Your Relationship. But many health care providers prescribe the pill for women who smoke if they’re under 35. There are about 20 percent of current smokers (women, ages 35-64 in the U.S.), who need to know how to prevent pregnancy with more options than just condoms. If you have insurance, the cost of birth control usually isn’t going to be an issue because there are so many options, Chuang says. That’s because both combination pills and progestin-only pills [link to: choosing the best birth control pill for you] can increase risk of blood clots. The Right Birth Control if You’re Planning a Family. Good news for women over 35!For years we were told that birth control pills weren't safe for those of us of a certain age. It is 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. The pill adds more stress to the blood vessels because of the extra estrogen. Birth Control in 2019 and Beyond: Where Do Things Stand for Women? Birth control shots last for about three months. Take a look at some of your options. If you’re a smoker, however, birth control pills can pose a serious risk to your health. Who can try it: Women who don't want to think about birth control for a long, long time. Thanks for the article! It works to prevent pregnancy in several different ways: by … Birth control options for smoker over 35? Is it time to switch contraception methods? (Please know that a good health care provider will still provide women with cessation resources, however!). Think about your health, your family planning goals, and your financial and marital status as you decide what’s best for you. Women under 35 who smoke and have no other medical conditions can usually use the pill with reasonable safety, but should definitely talk to their health care provider about alternative methods. Smoking interacts with estrogen in the arteries in a way that increases risk for heart attack and stroke, Dr. Chuang says. When used alone, it is typically only 85 percent effective, and I included it because it works great when used in combination with a barrier method (condoms, for example). Birth Control and Contraception Options: An A-to-Z Guide, 5 Things to Know About the New Tool for Women’s Health: Planned Parenthood’s Direct App. Only your doctor can tell you which birth control method will best suit your medical and lifestyle needs. Your life has likely changed, too. It contains no hormones, and is about 94 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. If you smoke and you’re over 35 years old, the combined pill is not a suitable option as it can lead to an increase risk of blood clots. Should You Stop Taking Birth Control Pills if You're Over 35? How long after quitting smoking can I use birth control? Choices include the pill, the ring, and the patch. This means that fewer than 1 in 100 who use the combined pill as contraception will get pregnant in 1 year. One very important consideration: If you smoke and take birth control pills, your health risks skyrocket after 35. You go to the doctor, get the shot, and then you’re covered for about three months (12 weeks). Your body has changed. And there are other things to consider too — from your family-planning goals to your marital status. Fortunately there are still plenty of other options, like the IUD, the implant, and the shot. The shot is a long-lasting form of birth control – you only need one once every 12 weeks, or about four times a year. Spermicides: Lotions, creams, gels, suppositories or vaginal film that contain substances that cause sperm to become immobile. For women over 35 who are healthy oral contraceptives or other estrogen based birth control can still be a viable option. Women older than 35 can choose this birth control method with few worries about health risks. The standard way to take the pill is to take 1 every day for 21 days, then have a break for 7 days, and during this week you have a bleed like a period. For most women 35 and older, hormone-based birth control (like the Pill) is safe — but there are risks if you smoke or have a history of certain health conditions. If you smoke and are over age 35, you have many highly effective contraception options. The reality today, then, is that birth control choices for women older than 35 are about the same as for those younger than 35. I have previously become pregnant while using condoms, contraceptive sponges, a diaphragm, contraceptive foam, and rythem + withdrawal. Any concerns about other birth control options have nothing to do with age. Rings and patches. Sign up for our Sexual Health Newsletter! Barrier birth control options include male condoms, female condoms, spermicides, the sponge, diaphragms, and the cervical cap. Women over 35 who smoke do need to be aware of their birth control options because as a consequence to the lack of information it may lead some women to not fully disclose their smoking status with their doctors. All Rights Reserved. The best thing to do is stop smoking. That type of birth control can raise your risk of stroke. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Women with diabetes generally have a higher likelihood for these events than women without diabetes. If you have migraines or are a smoker (especially over 35), then this may not be a good choice due to the risk of blood clots. If you have these other health conditions: Talk to your doctor about possible risks if you have severe diabetes, hypertension, migraine headaches that cause an aura, or liver or bladder disease, Chuang says. If you’re a smoker, the best-case scenario to avoid side effects from birth control while protecting yourself against pregnancy is to quit smoking. © 1996-2021 Everyday Health, Inc. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Birth control pills. You can further increase the effectiveness by using a double barrier method, such using a condom with a spermicide or a diaphragm with a condom. I am 38, smoke, and had a baby just six weeks ago. Actually, it might be time to take another look at your contraception-of-choice. When taken correctly, the pill is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. If you’re single, the most effective way to protect yourself is to use condoms — with or without another form of birth control. Latest news about the safest, smartest birth control options for women over 30. Research has shown that the risk becomes statistically significant after age 35 — probably because women are at higher risk for a number of health conditions as they age. What contraceptive pill is best if I’m a smoker? In perfect use, the methods can be 95%+ effective. Thromboembolic events include venous thrombosis, stroke, and heart attack. The doctor was right to deny you birth control pills--if you read the package inserts of any package of BC pills, they all say the risk of blood clots increases when you're over 35 and a smoker. Doctors tend to advise women 35 and older who want to have kids to get pregnant sooner rather than later — that’s because fertility decreases after 35, says D. Michael Armstrong, MD, clinical associate professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology in the division of women’s primary healthcare at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill. We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. If so you’ll need reversible contraception. From your smartphone to the bedroom, these sexual wellness gifts are guaranteed to turn heads and curl toes. We know that smokers over age 35 will have an increased risk of stroke and heart attack if they use the pill. Depo-Provera ("the shot" or "DPMA") contains progestin-only, and is a long-acting injection given every 3 months at your doctor's office. Whether the doctors did not inquire about smoking status, or the women did not provide this crucial information is unknown; it is important for women to take charge of their health and know the facts. It is important to keep your doctor "in the know" about any changes to your smoking status, and to educate yourself on your birth control and safer sex options. Hi Allison, You are right---that was an oversight on my part in writing the article. (Please know … Not allowing doctors to weigh patients' individual circumstances because of a blanket insurance dictate undermines the quality of treatment they can provide. And remember that more than combination birth control pills contain estrogen — it’s also in the vaginal ring and the patch. If you have a history of blood clots: Avoid contraception that contains estrogen, Chuang says. You should also avoid this type of birth control if you have had a cancer that grows because of estrogen.