Pregnancy during Perimenopause

I'm concerned about becoming pregnant during menopause. My periods have stopped for about 3 years. I continue to have dreams that I'm pregnant. Is it possible to become pregnant?

-Jacqueline

 

Answer:

 

Jacqueline has posted a very common concern among women regarding menopause and pregnancy.

 

The truth is, for women who are either perimenopausal or still going through menopause, there is still a chance of pregnancy. As long as your body is still spotting or experiencing menstrual bleeding (not matter how irregular this may be), you could still be ovulating, and thus you still have a chance of becoming pregnant. Of course as women age, their chances of becoming pregnant dramatically drop, but it is still important to become aware of these chances. Most unplanned pregnancies happen during this phase of a woman's life.

 

Once you have completely finished menopause however, you won't be able to become pregnant anymore. This is because the body has stopped ovulating and is no longer producing any eggs. There are a number of ways to tell when you have finished going through menopause:

·        You have not had a menstrual period or any spotting of any kind for a year or longer

·        Most of your menopausal symptoms have subsided

·        Have a doctor to perform an FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) test to determine if you are finished menopause.

 

Since you have not had a period for 3 years then it's pretty safe to say that you can no longer get pregnant. But since I'm not a doctor, it would be best to check with a health care professional and he can calm your worries.

 

Once you are reassured by a doctor that you are in fact postmenopausal and cannot get pregnant anymore, your worries and fearful dreams should stop, and you can enjoy a fulfilling sex life throughout your postmenopausal years.

5 comments
Posted by Melissa W on April 1,2008 at 9:29 AM

I am 39 years old and started to have symptons of perimenopause after the birth of my first child who is now 14 months old.  My husband and I would like to have another child.  After reading your comments I have hope that we will be able to get pregnant again.    

Posted by Mary on January 30,2007 at 11:46 AM
I am 53 and still get a period,but I haven't gotten one  for at least 70 days..I am now feeling nausea everyday and I do not know what to think,because I am sexually active with of course one partner. What is confusing is that I had a tubal ligation 25 years ago. I want to think that I am safe,but can't explain the sick stomach
Posted by Cynthia Moats on December 22,2006 at 1:21 PM
I would like to know if u can get pregnant after having that thermal hydroscopy performed on u. I asked my dr and I am 51 yrs old. It took and I am not having any periods anymore but when my period was suppose to happen I can tell cuz sometimes I get cramps but no bleeding or brown discharge whatso ever. Please let me know.
Posted by L. Roar on November 17,2006 at 2:41 PM
Wow, Juanita!
Guess how it happened to me...
Early 30's U.cancer-after the doc. cut and fried it, I was told I would never have children.  I had not had any kids yet and was heart broken.  
Mid. 40's doc told me I was going through the change, but I was sure I was pregnant. They did test me and told me I was going through the change.
OK, three months I went back with more changes, like I was pooching out there-
They would not test me and told me I was not pregnant.
Went to another doc and was found to be 3 or more months pregnant! Now I have a child at 47 and people don't know what to think.  I m happy anyway.  I'm happy for you too!
Posted by Juanita on November 12,2006 at 10:47 AM
Hi, I have to say I have NOT had a period for 3.5 years... In August I started having what seemed like morning sickness, then I started craving red meat, eating chicken made me nauseaus.. I NEVER eat red meat, only fish and chicken, now I cannot eat either of them for fear of vomiting.. well, I gained 8 pounds, my stomach is sticking out, and 2 weeks ago, I felt something moving in my abdomen...I have not been pregnant in 22 years!!!  I went to doctor, had utrasound, and there they were, 2 perfect little boys!!!!  I am due in April, I have not told my children as of yet, my youngest son is graduating from college this year and my oldest son just had  my first grandchild (a boy).. I am 52 years old and starting over!!!! So ladies, use protection until you are sure you cannot get pregnant any more... My husband and my plans for retirement and travel are now put on hold, and i will be the oldest mom at my babies graduation in 19 years!!!!!!