9 February 2010

Has the age and infertility message gone too far? This is the question the sexual health charity FPA is asking in its new campaign Conceivable? aimed at women aged 35 and over.

With identical abortion rates for women aged 40-44* as for the under 16 year olds, FPA is worried that the constant stream of messages about age as a leading cause of infertility is encouraging older women to abandon contraception.

Age alone is not a contraceptive says FPA. The charity is reminding women to stay vigilant about unplanned pregnancy and to keep using contraception until after the menopause if they do not wish to become pregnant.

Talking about why FPA has launched Conceivable? Julie Bentley Chief Executive, FPA said:

“Whilst the message about fertility declining with age is an important one, it is often overplayed, alongside disproportionate messaging about unplanned teenage pregnancies. It sends an inaccurate message to women and society that only the young fall pregnant and is leading older women to believe their fertility has gone long before it actually has”.

“Unplanned pregnancies at any age are very difficult” she continued.

“For the last 80 years, FPA has been helping women plan and prevent pregnancies. It’s important that women realise it’s entirely conceivable that just one night of unprotected sex in your late 30s, 40s, even 50s can end in an unplanned pregnancy. Our helpline receives calls from such women, shocked this has happened to them. They thought their age would protect them from becoming pregnant.

The FPA is urging health professionals to remember that older women also need contraceptive information and services.  The over 35s are often a forgotten group says the charity. Too many ‘thirtysomething’ women ring FPA saying that the only clinics in their area are for young women, and not them.

“There are fifteen methods of contraception. They’re all suitable for the over 35s” said Julie. “We know on average women spend about five minutes on choosing their contraception* and many don’t make enough time for themselves to think about what they want. They can talk to FPA or their health professional about finding the perfect contraceptive for them.”

Conceivable? is part of Contraceptive Awareness Week 8–14 February 2010 run and organised by FPA. Campaign packs have been sent to thousands of General Practices, contraceptive and sexual health clinics across the UK.

-ENDS-

Spokespeople for interview and high resolution jpegs of the campaign poster images are available from the FPA press office.

For further information please contact the FPA press office on 020 7608 5265/5264. Mobile 07958 921060.

Further information about the Conceivable? campaign

Notes to Editors
*Abortion statistics, England and Wales: 2008 showing that under 16s have an abortion rate of 4 per 1,000 women and women aged 40-44 have an abortion rate of 4 per 1,000 women.
 
*According to FPA research conducted in 2009 one in three UK women aged 18-49 typically spends up to just five minutes selecting a suitable contraceptive method to use. Conducted by GfK NOP, 958 women aged 18–49 in the UK were surveyed via their face-to-face omnibus survey. The survey was nationally representative. Weighting was applied to the data to bring it in line with national profiles.

The sexual health charity FPA champions the importance of good sexual health for everyone. We educate, inform, support and campaign for people across the UK. The Family Planning Association is a registered charity, number 250187.

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