Women in their 40s are uninformed about contraception due to a "generation gap" and, consequently, are at significant risk of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, according to a leading expert.
"Scientists have said that women in their 40s who are separated or divorced are less likely to use condoms, less likely to know about oral methods of contraception and less likely to practise safer sex," according to Dr Diana Mansour, head of service, contraception and sexual health with the NHS. She was speaking at the Irish Menopause Society's 13th Symposium and agm in Dublin at the weekend.
"Women who have come out of a relationship where the husband has had a vasectomy, for example, have less information than a lot of young people about how to protect themselves and how to prevent pregnancy," she said.
While these women are aware of contraceptive methods such as condoms and sterilisation, they are unfamiliar with other long-acting methods such as the contraceptive implant and the intrauterine system which are just as effective, according to Dr Mansour.
Women over the age of 35 who did not smoke, were not overweight and had no relevant family history, could safely use low-dose combined pills up to the age of 50, she said.
"There are benefits for reduction in ovarian and endometrial cancer, and it also helps with period problems.
"We so often ignore this method as we think that it cannot be used in this age group of women when, in fact, it can and quite effectively," she said.
"There are also certain progesterone-only pills that are very safe in this age group of women, even if they've got medical problems," said Dr Mansour.
Women are unaware of certain health benefits of using these methods of contraception, she said.
There is a huge drive in the UK to lower the rate of teenage pregnancies, said Dr Mansour.
However, the proportion of unwanted pregnancies was in fact the same in older women, she said.
"The percentage of [ unwanted] pregnancies that result in abortion, around 40 per cent, is exactly the same among women in their 40s as it is in the under-20s," she said.
A common misconception was a belief that it was impossible to get pregnant, said Dr Mansour.
"Women who have had their first grandchild think that they can't be fertile, but if they are still menstruating, they can get pregnant," she said.
"They seek advice from their sisters and mothers about contraception, who may be unreliable sources, and fail to go and speak to their GP to discuss the options," she said.
Women should carry on using a method of contraception for at least a year after their last natural period if over 50, and for two years if under 50, said Dr Mansour.