Women still need to continue using contraception for 12 months after their last menstrual period if they are aged over 50; or 2 years after their last period if they are aged under 50.

If you do not have periods due to your current contraception, then a blood test for FSH can help determine when it is safe to stop your contraception. If you over 50 and are found to have raised FSH indicating menopause, then you will need to continue contraception for another year and then it can be stopped.

HRT is not a contraceptive, however a Mirena coil can be used as both contraception and endometrial protection in HRT. You can use contraception such as the Progesterone Only Pill, implant, or contraceptive injection alongside HRT if you need to. You cannot use the combined pill alongside HRT since it also contains oestrogen.

In general, contraception can be stopped in all women at the age of 55 as the chance of conceiving naturally after this age is extremely low.

The combined contraceptive pill can be used as a form or HRT and contraception in suitable women. The oestrogen in most combined pills is synthetic as opposed to the body identical oestradiol used in HRT. It cannot be used after the age of 50 due to the increased risk of blood clots.