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“I got pregnant during perimenopause!”— Only 1 or 2 out of 10 women in their 40s can say this.
As you move closer to “the big change” (read: menopause), remember that getting pregnant is still not off the table. In the years preceding your last period or perimenopause, you can still become pregnant.
Even though your ovulation cycles become erratic during this “menopausal transition” as levels of the hormones progesterone and estrogen fluctuate. Your ovaries will continue to release eggs for fertilization during these years of fluctuating hormone levels. Meaning: pregnancy during perimenopause is not a myth.
In this blog, we’ll answer the question: can you get pregnant during perimenopause? And also understand, if and how you can increase the probability of pregnancy during perimenopause.
First Things First, What is Perimenopause?
The term “perimenopause,” which translates to “around menopause,” describes the period of time when your body naturally enters menopause, signaling the end of the fertile years. The menopausal transition is another name for perimenopause.
Women begin perimenopause at various ages. Sometime in your 40s, you may start to experience menstruation irregularities or other indicators that menopause is approaching. However, some females start noticing changes as early as their mid-30s.
Symptoms of Perimenopause
Perimenopause won’t affect every woman the same way. The most typical signs are as follows:
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Mood changes, similar to PMS
- Heat flash
- Sweats at night
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Brain fog or difficulty focusing
- Fluctuating libido
Pregnancy in Perimenopause
You can still conceive if you haven’t gone through menopause, which is indicated by 12 consecutive months without a period. When they stop using birth control and go several years without getting pregnant, some women experience a false sense of safety thinking they won’t be getting pregnant.
Similarly, women who have experienced infertility in the past can believe they would not be able to conceive after age 40. The same holds for those who experience early ovarian failure. Even though some patients may appear to be menopausal, they are still capable of ovulating and getting pregnant.
Can You Get Pregnant During Perimenopause?
It’s uncommon and might take longer for women who wish to become pregnant during this time of their lives, but worry not — it is still possible.
Where you are in the perimenopause process is actually what makes a difference.
- You don’t ovulate as regularly as you used to as you approach menopause.
- When you do ovulate, the egg may not be of high enough quality or the ovulation-related chemicals may not be ideal enough to sustain a pregnancy.
Therefore, becoming pregnant is far less common for all of those reasons, though it is still possible.
In other words, your ovaries are still releasing eggs for fertilization despite irregular menstruation cycles and dramatic hormone levels. You could be able to get pregnant as long as your period is still coming.
Many women in their early 40s are successfully trying to get pregnant for the first time. Some people struggle. It all comes down to the individual knowing what their bodies are capable of and making the best choice for themselves and their families.
Early perimenopausal years are easier for women to get pregnant than in the late 40s and early 50s.
Your likelihood of successful conception is substantially higher if you are prepared to get pregnant before perimenopause.
Pregnant During Perimenopause: Is It Possible to Increase the Chances?
There are many things midlife women may do to encourage a safe pregnancy. However, some of them might need a doctor’s assistance.
- You should make an appointment with your doctor for a consultation and fertility evaluation if you are over 35 and haven’t become pregnant after six months of unprotected sexual activity.
- The best course of action is to talk to your health provider as soon as possible about fertility treatments.
- Medications that aid in ovulation stimulation, intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization, and surgery are common fertility therapy options.
- Other lifestyle habits that could improve your chances of success should be discussed between you and your doctor.
- Particularly during perimenopause, everything that will support a safe pregnancy still holds true. This implies that you should maintain a healthy diet, engage in regular exercise, get enough sleep, manage your stress, and abstain from taking drinking or smoking.
Final Words: Is Pregnancy During Perimenopause Risky?
It’s critical to be aware of potential issues with any pregnancy, but they can be especially risky during perimenopause. Older women frequently have more chronic illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure, which might increase their risk of difficulties during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about any health conditions you may have.
In the late 30s and early 40s, there is a significant rise in miscarriage risk, primarily because of lower egg quality and genetic problems in the embryo.
Older expectant mothers are more likely to experience preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and other pregnancy issues, as well as hazards for their unborn children, including low birth weight, early birth, chromosomal abnormalities, and difficulties with cesarean sections.
