Menopause and Pregnancy: What Women Should Know

When a woman reaches the point where she begins to experience peri-menopausal symptoms, it may be a relief. Or for some may cause confusion as to whether or not they can still get pregnant.

Menopause and pregnancy is an issue that women approaching that stage of life should be informed about, whether they want to try to have a baby, or are worried about becoming pregnant. Listed below is a snapshot of information on menopause and pregnancy you may want to know about, if you are worried about getting pregnant or want to still try for it:

Facts on Menopause

When a woman reaches the early stage of menopause, or peri-menopause, her ovulation cycles become more and more sporadic, as the estrogen and progesterone hormones begin to ebb in production and release. As this stage approaches, and as menopause approaches, the woman may experience a change in her menstrual cycle, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal discomfort, reduction in sexual drive and sudden irritability and depression. A woman has not fully reached menopause until she has not had a period for one year, at least.

Can Pregnancy Occur?

Most physicians would say that menopause and pregnancy do not go hand in hand. But, as their ovulation becomes more and more erratic, a woman still has a chance of getting pregnant in the peri-menopausal stage. That is why it is important for a woman and her partner to be cautious, and continue to use contraception during this time if they do not want to become pregnant.

If pregnancy should occur, the chances of the baby being born with birth defects, or being stillborn are increased. This could also mean damage to your health, as carrying a fetus could further cause calcium depletion, and speed up the process of osteoporosis. Mainly though, by the time a woman has reached her forties, the chances of becoming pregnant are reduced by 50%, thus reducing the chance of menopause and pregnancy to occur at the same time.

In the end, menopause and pregnancy has a slim chance of occurring, and if a woman and her partner choose to have a child during this stage of life, then they will have to face some of the possible risks that come along with menopause and pregnancy. Most physicians will suggest continuing to use contraception until full menopause has occurred, and menstrual cycles have come to a definite stop.