Is it safe to take the pill after turning 40?

Taking the pill after you turn 40 can have certain side effects or complications. In her latest article, renowned GP Dr Hana Patel explains these dangers in detail and outlines how you can stay safe while using contraception after turning 40.

Is it safe to continue taking the pill after turning 40?

In your forties and beyond, taking the pill can have some possible complications, but you don't necessarily need to throw away your pill pack.

The combined oral contraceptive pill, also known as "the pill," is the most widely used method of birth control among women in the UK between the ages of 15 and 49, accounting for 28% of all cases. It contains synthetic analogues of the feminine hormones progesterone and oestrogen, which are normally produced by your body.

As you age, using oestrogen does come with certain warnings: you run a higher risk of stroke, breast cancer, and blood clots in the legs or lungs (venous thromboembolism, or VTE) (which includes deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism). The progesterone-only pill is not subject to these concerns.

Yet, as you reach your forties, it's important to reassess your contraceptive options, regardless of the type of birth control you're currently using.

By the age of 40, all women should make an appointment with their physician to review their contraceptive options because the chances of VTE dramatically increase and because we need to consider perimenopausal bone density.

Your doctor will then be able to recommend a birth control strategy that works for you at this point in your life. Physicians and nurses working in England are required to go by the UK Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (UKMEC) guidelines, which let them compare the advantages and disadvantages of various birth control methods against a wide range of health considerations.

What other factors may be considered?

One of the factors is age, but it’s not the only one. They also consider factors like your weight, whether you smoke, your family history, and your medical history, including whether you've had bariatric surgery or an organ transplant.

We may then discover that a woman can use other effective methods of contraception. But if not, we must be very certain that the patient is aware of the increased hazards that come with advancing age.

Who is advised not to take the pill?

If you don't need to be taking medication, it is advised to not take the pill. This could be because you are not having a lot of sex, for example. Instead, it is advised to use the hormonal coil or condoms because they contain less progesterone and don't pose the same health hazards as oestrogen.

Does the pill have any other benefits?

Less than one in 100 women will become pregnant each year if you take the pill as directed. 

The pill also has numerous advantages, including a lower chance of ovarian and womb cancer, a reduction in acne, lighter periods, and, most importantly for older women, a reduction in perimenopausal symptoms.

What should I do if I decide to take the pill and I’m over 40 years of age?

If you decide that the pill is still the best method of birth control for you after speaking with your doctor, there are a couple of steps you can take to safeguard your health.

If that's the case, it is advised that you take charge of your health and regularly check your blood pressure, perform routine breast self-exams, and notify your doctor of any unexpected vaginal bleeding. It’s also important to be cautious when you fly because it can raise your risk of developing a blood clot in your leg or lungs.

Dr Hana Patel is a renowned GP and lifestyle and mental health coach based in London. If you would like to book an appointment with Dr Patel you can do so via her Top Doctors profile.