Once upon a time, it was common to see that most pregnant women were in their twenties. And while pregnancy in that decade is still common, it has also become the norm for women to wait until they are more established in their careers before starting a family. Or sometimes, they just don’t feel the desire to have children until they’re in their 30s or 40s, and they go on to carry successful pregnancies.
But how late is too late to wait? Is it possible to get pregnant after menopause?
What is Menopause?
Menopause is what happens when a woman stops having her period. It happens once the ovaries stop producing eggs (also known as oocytes). It may happen due to age or hysterectomy.
3 Stages of Menopause
1. Perimenopause
This is the early stages of menopause, and it may be several years before the woman fully reaches menopause. While a woman will still get her period, the ovaries gradually decrease their levels of estrogen. The symptoms of perimenopause include:
– Irregular periods
– Vaginal dryness
– Mood swings
– Breast tenderness
– Lower sex drive
– Hot flashes
Although conception is more difficult because of the decrease in oocyte production, it’s still possible for a woman to get pregnant during perimenopause. This stage usually starts sometime in the mid to late 40 years of age.
2. Menopause
The average age of menopause is 51, although depending on the woman’s genes and health history, it may happen sooner. Once a woman hasn’t had her menstruation for 12 consecutive months, she will be officially diagnosed as having reached menopause. Menopause symptoms include:
– Missed periods for several months in a row
– Weight gain
– Sleep deprivation
– Hot flashes
– Vaginal dryness
– Chronic headaches
– Chronic urinary tract infections
– Night sweats
– Incontinence
– Decreased sex drive
– Drier skin due to a loss in collagen
Because a woman going through menopause no longer produces eggs, she can no longer get pregnant at this stage.
3. Post Menopause
These are the years after menopause. The lower levels of estrogen make women more susceptible to certain health risks, such as bone loss, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and gum disease.
Implementing lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, regular exercise, and a healthy diet are essential to maintain optimal health; and so are regular visits to your doctor.
It’s also important during this time to continue getting pelvic exams, mammograms, and bone density exams.
Contact us at OB-GYN Women’s Centre
If you believe you may be going through perimenopause or menopause, let us help you through the process. At OB-GYN Women’s Centre, we strive to make all of our patients feel at ease.
Contact us to schedule an appointment.
