NFP needed at my age?

[lax16]

Hello. I am almost 49 years old and recently had a procedure to minimize excessive bleeding during my monthly periods. (I received approval from a Catholic expert on the matter).

My doctor told me that I would be unable to become pregnant after having the procedure, however I have since learned otherwise.

It would not be safe for me to get pregnant due to the procedure, therefore I must do something to prevent pregnancy.

Do I need to look into NFP - or at our age and because we cannot ever get pregnant for medical reasons, is there another option?

Thanks for the help!

 

[1ke]

Do I need to look into NFP - or at our age and because we cannot ever get pregnant for medical reasons, is there another option?

Your options would be periodic abstinence through NFP or full abstinence. Those are the options.

I would recommend looking at Marquette Model NFP, which uses a fertility monitor.

 

[CatholicRaven]

If I was in your situation, I would use NFP until after menopause (assuming the medical reasons to avoid pregnancy will continue that long). But you may want to consult with your priest or spiritual advisor if you feel you need other options.

 

[maryjk]

Hello. I am almost 49 years old and recently had a procedure to minimize excessive bleeding during my monthly periods. (I received approval from a Catholic expert on the matter).

I am 48, and still using NFP.

Yep, it is a pain. But it is the only moral option.

Well, that and complete abstinence. And I won’t go for that.

 

[lax16]

Thanks to all who have answered so far.

I guess it’s time for this old dog to learn some new tricks!

 

[tawny]

Hello. I am almost 49 years old and recently had a procedure to minimize excessive bleeding during my monthly periods. (I received approval from a Catholic expert on the matter).

My doctor told me that I would be unable to become pregnant after having the procedure, however I have since learned otherwise.

It would not be safe for me to get pregnant due to the procedure, therefore I must do something to prevent pregnancy.

Do I need to look into NFP - or at our age and because we cannot ever get pregnant for medical reasons, is there another option?

Thanks for the help!

I would recommend you do so, as there is still a potential for pregnancy.

 

[Baby_Bach]

Unless you know what specific type of nfp you will be doing, I would highly recommend starting to chart temperature (sympto-thermal method) so that you can tell the pattern for your fertility. You can print a free chart here nfpandmore.org/Chart.pdf and you can check out that website for manuals and such.

 

[NFPWife]

Hi, I think you’ve gotten lots of great advice here on specific methods to try. My husband and I practice the Marquette Method, teach Billings, and have practiced Billings and a sympto-thermal method during our 22 year marriage. I think a method with an extra confirmation of peak, like a sympto-thermal method or Marquette would probably make the most sense for you as you’re learning a method.

If you wouldn’t mind sharing, when you were going through the informed consent before your procedure, did the doctor say you wouldn’t be able to get pregnant but neglect to say that you could still conceive?

I’m reading between the lines a bit and assuming that your procedure “thinned out” your uterine lining as a way to resolve the bleeding. Because the medical community considers pregnancy to start at implantation, I’m wondering if the doctor told you that you couldn’t get pregnant because a fertilized egg wouldn’t be able to implant. As Catholics we believe life begins at conception and it’s common for us to call that “pregnancy” instead of “conception.” I can’t help but feel you weren’t given full informed consent and that burns me for you. If that was the case, I’m sorry.

If that is/ was the case, though, NFP will still be highly effective for you. You’ll know exactly when you’re fertile and you’ll avoid intercourse on those days. There’s a little learning curve and I’ll be the first to say that NFP isn’t always easy, but it’s doable and the graces you receive make it so worthwhile.

 

[DJgang]

Hi, I think you’ve gotten lots of great advice here on specific methods to try. My husband and I practice the Marquette Method, teach Billings, and have practiced Billings and a sympto-thermal method during our 22 year marriage. I think a method with an extra confirmation of peak, like a sympto-thermal method or Marquette would probably make the most sense for you as you’re learning a method.

If you wouldn’t mind sharing, when you were going through the informed consent before your procedure, did the doctor say you wouldn’t be able to get pregnant but neglect to say that you could still conceive?

I’m reading between the lines a bit and assuming that your procedure “thinned out” your uterine lining as a way to resolve the bleeding. Because the medical community considers pregnancy to start at implantation, I’m wondering if the doctor told you that you couldn’t get pregnant because a fertilized egg wouldn’t be able to implant. As Catholics we believe life begins at conception and it’s common for us to call that “pregnancy” instead of “conception.” I can’t help but feel you weren’t given full informed consent and that burns me for you. If that was the case, I’m sorry.

If that is/ was the case, though, NFP will still be highly effective for you. You’ll know exactly when you’re fertile and you’ll avoid intercourse on those days. There’s a little learning curve and I’ll be the first to say that NFP isn’t always easy, but it’s doable and the graces you receive make it so worthwhile.

Yes this. My doctor who will not perform such procedure unless one is sterilized because she believes life begins at conception. (Christian but not catholic doctor) OP needs find out if this is the case. It should be of concern.

 

[TheWarriorMonk]

My doctor told me that I would be unable to become pregnant after having the procedure, however I have since learned otherwise.

An obvious question comes to mind: Why do you believe the doctor’s opinion is wrong?

The reality of the situation is that if you were healthy without any procedure, and were not menopausal, your chance of becoming pregnant at 49 are extremely slim. Furthermore, even if it did occur, the miscarriage rate is very high. Combine that with a procedure that reduces the chance of pregnancy occurring and you’re entering the “miracle pregnancy” zone.

Naturally, if you have any doubts, feel free to use NFP.