Pregnancy warning for over-35s

Women in their forties may be giving up their contraception thinking their age will prevent them from becoming pregnant, a leading sexual health charity has warned.

With abortion rates for women between the ages of 40-44 identical to that for the under-16s in England and Wales, the Family Planning Association (FPA) is concerned that constant messages in the media about increasing age as a leading cause of infertility is encouraging older women to abandon contraception.

Chief Executive of the FPA Julie Bentley said: “Whilst the message about fertility declining with age is an important one, it is often overplayed, alongside disproportionate messaging about unplanned teenage pregnancies.

"It sends an inaccurate message to women and society that only the young fall pregnant and is leading older women to believe their fertility has gone long before it actually has”.

“Unplanned pregnancies at any age are very difficult” she continued.

“It’s important that women realise it’s entirely conceivable that just one night of unprotected sex in your late 30’s, 40’s, even 50’s can end in an unplanned pregnancy.

"Our helpline receives calls from such women, shocked this has happened to them. They thought their age would protect them from becoming pregnant."

Women over the age of 35 are often a forgotten group said the charity. Ms. Bentley said there were over 15 methods of contraception to choose from, but on average women spend around five minutes on choosing what type they preferred. And added that they should talk to the FPA or their health professionals about finding the perfect contraceptive to suit them.

The FPA is launching it's Conceivable? campaign as part of Contraceptive Awareness Week (8–14 February 2010).

This article was published on Tue 9 February 2010