Question:

How old is too old for birth control? Especially if it's being used for cycle regulation and NOT for contraception?

Answer from OB-GYN Karen Carlson, MD:

For those who want to avoid pregnancy, I recommend using contraception until between the ages of 51 and 55 or until you become menopausal, which means having no periods for an entire year without hormonal influence. While pregnancies over age 45 are rare, they can come with increased risks for both the mother and baby. 

However, using hormonal birth control after age 40 can offer several advantages aside from contraception:

1. Regulating cycles and perimenopause symptoms: For many women, birth control can help regulate menstrual cycles, reduce heavy bleeding and alleviate symptoms of perimenopause, such as hot flashes and mood swings. This can significantly improve quality of life during the transition to menopause.
2. Protecting against certain health conditions: For example, birth control can reduce the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers, as well as help manage conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, and endometriosis. 
3. Supporting bone health: Birth control pills can help maintain bone density, which is especially important as the risk of osteoporosis increases with age.

If you’ve been using birth control for reasons other than contraception, it may still be beneficial to continue doing so up till about age 55. Most contraceptive methods are generally safe during these later years, but it’s essential to consider any chronic conditions you might have, which could influence your choice of method. Therefore, it’s best to review your options with your doctor. They can assist you in weighing the pros and cons of continuing hormonal birth control and exploring other alternatives if needed.