Contraception for midlife women.

Women wish to continue to be sexually active long after their desire to bear children. The risks associated with unintended pregnancy easily can be avoided by providing women with information about, and access to, contraceptives that are safe and effective. Because fertility naturally declines with age, different contraceptives may be more suitable for women toward the end of their reproductive years than were appropriate at periods of peak fertility. This article discusses the risks and benefits of various contraceptives for midlife women and the implications of this information on nursing practice.