Health Tips

Many women mistakenly believe that they cannot become pregnant during early menopause. However, pregnancy during early menopause is entirely possible, unless the uterus has been surgically removed by hysterectomy. You are still at risk for pregnancy until you have completely stopped ovulating.

A pregnancy that occurs during early menopause is considered a high risk pregnancy, because when a woman reaches her late thirties, or when menopause begins, the quality of the eggs is diminished and the lining of the uterus begins to thin as well. This makes the risk of miscarriage very high.

Since periods become irregular, or non-existent, knowing for sure when you are ovulating can become quite difficult. So, while the chances of becoming pregnant have diminished by about 50%, you still must continue to use contraception to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

Many women who become pregnant during early menopause have healthy, happy babies. There’s no evidence to suggest that if a woman has a baby during early menopause it stops the early menopause from occurring. Once the baby is born, most women’s early menopause process picks up where it left off.

Pregnancy during early menopause can occur before periods have completely stopped, and for up to one year after your periods have stopped – although pregnancy after your periods has stopped is very rare. Symptoms of pregnancy are often mistaken for symptoms of early menopause as well. Should you think that you are experiencing either, you should see your doctor right away to confirm either pregnancy, or early menopause.

For women experiencing early menopause, it’s recommended that they continue using a form of birth control for two years following the last menstrual period. However, if you are taking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) as well, you need to discuss your birth control options with your doctor, and of course, you’ll still want to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases.

While the birth of any baby is a reason to celebrate, the birth of a baby that was conceived during early menopause is often an even more profound experience. Perhaps it’s so unexpected and because you believe it’s highly improbable.