Menopause: has it begun?
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Your support makes all the difference.I am 48 years old and my periods are now erratic (they used to be regular) and the blood is brown (not red). Does this mean that I am no longer fertile and can come off the mini-pill?
Dr Fred Kavalier answers your health question:
Erratic periods as women are approaching the menopause are normal. But the fact that you are still bleeding, even irregularly, means that you are not yet fully menopausal. The mini-pill that you are taking (also know as the progesterone-only pill or POP) will still be effective in preventing pregnancy. The rule is that you should continue using contraception until you have not had a period or any bleeding for two years (this can be reduced to one year once you are over 50). Although this may seem like a long time, it is the only way of making sure you do not get pregnant. It is not unknown for the ovaries to release a rogue egg months after periods have apparently stopped.
Please mail your questions for Dr Fred to health@independent.co.uk. He regrets that he is unable to respond personally to questions.
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