- The pill used to carry the risk of dangerous blood clots for women over 40 because of the amount of estrogen it contained. However, the level of estrogen in birth control has been greatly reduced, thereby making it safer for older women. The pill is a good idea for a healthy, lean women to take. If a woman smokes or has high blood pressure, there are other options for her.
- While sterilization continues to be the most popular choice for older women, scientists have now developed a method to sterilize without using surgery. This procedure is called Essure and works through the cervix by using a tiny tube to thread small devices into the fallopian tubes. Before, a doctor would cut through the abdomen to cut and tie the fallopian tubes.
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Another product that is out now is called Implanon. It is a plastic rod the size of a matchstick and is implanted underneath the skin of the upper arm. It is similar to Norplant and can last up to three years.
There are also progestin-only pills, which is also called a "mini pill." It's estrogen-free but still protects against pregnancy with a low dose of hormones.
Be sure to check with your doctor before trying anything new. If there are unusual side effects, you may need to switch to something different until you find a method that suits you.
