The question
At what age is it reasonable for a woman to think that she’s no longer at risk of becoming pregnant? I’m in my mid-40s and am thinking it’s about time to stop using my birth control pills. Is it safe now or should I wait?
The answer
In general, your child-bearing years usually end approximately 10 years before the onset of menopause. This is the time in a woman’s life when hormonal changes cause her periods to stop and the body is no longer able to get pregnant. The age of menopause varies from woman to woman, but the average age in Canada is 51, according to the society of obstetricians and gynecologists of Canada .
It is only reasonable for a woman to think she is no longer at any risk of becoming pregnant when she reaches menopause. While the risk of pregnancy decreases significantly after 40 (when cycles become irregular and ovulation is unpredictable), there is still a chance of getting pregnant until menopause is reached.
