Women over 35 warned that age will not protect them from pregnancy

While fertility declines as women get older, the "constant stream" of information about it could be encouraging older women to abandon contraception and risk unplanned pregnancy, said the Family Planning Association (FPA).

Data for England and Wales shows abortion rates among women aged 40 to 44 are the same as for under-16s – four per 1,000 women.

Launching its new campaign, Conceivable?, the FPA warned that age alone is not a contraceptive.

Julie Bentley, chief executive of the charity, said women should continue using contraception until after the menopause if they wish to avoid pregnancy.

She added: "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.

"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."

Ms Bentley said there were 15 methods of contraception, all of which are suitable for the over-35s.