In the past, oral contraceptives were not prescribed to women in their late 30s and 40s because of the risk of heart attack, blood clots and stroke. However, the dose of hormones in the pill has since been reduced and more experience has been gained regarding pill use in older women.
Healthy women are able to use the birth control pill safely right up until menopause.
However, the pill may mask the symptoms that usually inform women that menopause is taking place. For example, it may prevent hot flashes and may provide uterine stimulation that results in a monthly menstrual flow. The average age of menopause is 51, so a woman approaching that age should stop taking the pill to see if she experiences spontaneous menstrual cycles. However, because menopause waxes and wanes in the transition period, a woman should continue to use another form of contraception to prevent unintended pregnancy during this time. Once there are no spontaneous cycles for one year, a woman should no longer require contraception.