Many individuals nowadays delay parenthood until later in life.

And when that plan goes from “someday ill have kids” to “I want them now”, there are some cases where your menopause may happen earlier, or you may want a child later on in life, when you near perimenopause.

As menopause approaches, natural conception can become more challenging. This shift might influence a person's family planning choices and their considerations about birth control.

But does that mean your chances of conception are close to zero?

Well, actually it isn’t. And there’s more it to it.

We’ll discuss exactly that in this blog post!

Pregnancy during perimenopause

There are various reasons why someone might desire pregnancy during perimenopause, including prior difficulties conceiving, unsuitable circumstances in relationships, career, or finances earlier, or not feeling ready to care for a child before.

Once menopause commences, natural conception becomes close to impossible.

Enhancing chances of pregnancy during perimenopause

For individuals aiming to conceive during perimenopause, discussing options with a doctor is essential.

While fertility typically decreases, there are methods to increase the chances of getting pregnant around this time:

1. Monitoring ovulation

Recognising natural signs, like breast tenderness or changes in vaginal discharge, helps identify the best time for conception. Alternatively, ovulation test strips or predictor kits are also available.

2. Lifestyle factors

Maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise enhances overall health, potentially improving chances of conception.

3. In vitro fertilisation

Assisted reproductive technology like IVF remains a viable option during perimenopause and after menopause.

Eggs produced after menopause aren't viable, but stored frozen eggs or donor eggs could be alternatives. However, even with donor eggs, there still remains risks associated with carrying the baby to full term.

Risks of pregnancy during perimenopause

While perimenopause, the transitional phase before menopause, brings irregular periods, ovulation can still occur, making pregnancy possible. However, it's important to be aware of the increased risks involved, such as:

• Pregnancy complications: Women over 40, which often coincides with perimenopause, face a higher risk of pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and seizures. These can impact both mother and baby, potentially leading to pre-term birth and low birth weight.

• Miscarriage: Unfortunately, miscarriage rates rise with age. Around 25% of women in their 40s who conceive experience miscarriage. This could be due to declining estrogen and progesterone levels, lower egg quality, and changes in the uterine lining.

• Premature birth: Delivering before 37 weeks is more common in women over 40. Conditions like hypertension can further increase complications.

However, these risks shouldn't completely deter you from getting pregnant during perimenopause.

However, it's crucial to discuss your plans with a healthcare provider. They can assess your risks and guide you towards a safer path to pregnancy.

When does menopause occur?

The age at which menopause occurs can vary widely.

In India, it typically happens between 45 and 58 years old, with an average age of 52.

Nevertheless, menopause can occur at different ages, particularly if someone has certain health conditions or underwent specific medical treatments or surgeries.

Some people believe that conception becomes impossible once perimenopausal symptoms, like irregular periods and hot flashes, start appearing. However, a doctor won't rule out the possibility of pregnancy until a person hasn't had periods for 12 months.

Understanding how menopause influences fertility helps individuals make informed decisions, whether they desire children or aim to prevent pregnancy.

Can pregnancy occur around menopause?

As a person approaches menopause, conceiving naturally might become more difficult.

Menopause occurs when a female hasn't had a menstrual period for 12 months, with the preceding years termed perimenopause.

Perimenopause typically starts in the 40s and lasts around 7 to 14 years, though this duration varies widely.

During this phase, estrogen levels gradually decrease, leading to irregular or less frequent menstrual periods. AKA, ovulation still occurs, regardless of frequency.

However, diminishing sex hormone levels and the decline in egg quantity and quality decrease the chances of conception.

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, fertility usually ends 5–10 years before menopause, but exceptions exist, and pregnancy can still be possible until menopause occurs.

Is pregnancy post menopause possible?

Even after menopause, assisted reproductive technology, such as IVF, makes pregnancy possible.

Research into potential future options, including efforts to reverse menopause by reactivating dormant ovaries to release eggs for fertilization, requires more extensive clinical trials to confirm safety and effectiveness.

Making informed reproductive choices, with Arva

Menopause and perimenopause can bring about changes, but understanding how they work, the stages and symptoms can empower you to manage them effectively.

There are lifestyle adjustments, medications, and complementary therapies that can help alleviate common discomforts.

While getting pregnant naturally becomes less likely as you approach menopause, it's not entirely impossible in the early stages of perimenopause. If you're considering pregnancy during this time, it can be best to get started with a fertility test to check on your hormones, and make that call to your gynaecologist and ensure personalised guidance and support throughout this phase.

Menopause marks a new chapter, and with knowledge and proactive care, you can embrace it with confidence and continue to live a fulfilling life.

We’re here with you, every step of your journey!