Women who are not breastfeeding or who have weaned their infants are eligible to use any contraceptive method, provided that there are no delivery-related complications and they are screened for existing health conditions. Breastfeeding women also have special health needs and concerns. They should not use a contraceptive method that will affect breast milk or the health of the infant, such as a combined oral contraceptive or injectable. These methods should be delayed until after six months, unless another, more appropriate method is not available. Although many women achieve their desired family size by the time they reach 30 years, women remain fertile until menopause, which generally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 years.
Contraception is recommended until one year after menses cease.
Access to appropriate and acceptable contraceptives is important for women in their later reproductive years because pregnancy after age 35 carries increased health risks for both the woman and her child. For women who are experiencing uncomfortable menopausal symptoms, estrogen-containing hormonal methods may be good choices, as they can alleviate some symptoms. For more discussion of this issue, see Outlook, Volume 14, Number 4. Because older women are more likely to have pre-existing conditions, family planning programs should provide careful screening and counseling for these women when providing contraception. For more complete information on these recommendations, please refer to WHO's Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use.