Can you get pregnant during Perimenopause?

“Yes, You Can Still Get Pregnant While Perimenopausal”

It is no secret that as you age, it becomes more challenging to conceive naturally; this is where the term biological clock comes from. 

Your body is full of cells that work on some form of the internal clock; this internal clock regulates the function of your cells controlling what they can and cannot do and at what point in their age they can perform these functions. Your cells then form tissues and organs, thus dictating how long your fertility lasts. 

As you know, not everyone experiences aging the same way in life. Some experience difficulties trying to conceive between the ages of 40 and onwards, while others can fall pregnant without even trying. Coincidentally, that is usually the age perimenopausal starts to set in, with some even experiencing this in their mid-30s.

What is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause “literally means ‘around menopause,” and it refers to the time in which your body is transitioning to menopause.

As mentioned above, women reach this stage from their mid-30s to their early 40s. When you reach perimenopause, the symptoms may include your levels of estrogen falling and rising unevenly, which in turn affects your menstrual cycle. This results in you experiencing either a shortening or lengthening of your cycle, a heavy or lighter cycle, and a cycle in which your ovaries may not be released. 

Naturally, at this stage, your fertility has already begun declining, shortening your chances of becoming pregnant. This is because the reduction in your levels of estrogen and progesterone will affect the quality of your egg over time and yet, all things considered, you may still get pregnant.

Getting Pregnant During Perimenopause

Statistics hold that about 10 to 20% of women between the ages of 40 and 50 may get pregnant. Due to many unplanned pregnancies happening between the ages of 40 and even up 50, it is always best to assume that as long as you have not reached menopause, there is always a chance of you being able to fall pregnant.

Challenges in Conceiving

If you have been trying to conceive and there has been no success within 6 to 12 months, it is best to approach your medical practitioner to provide you with safe and proven options to assist you in conceiving.

That said, there has been research done to restore ovulation in people who are perimenopausal, but only temporarily. It is important to note that insufficient evidence suggests that this research works for almost everyone. Still, it is worth considering if you are trying to conceive and want to know the available options. 

Natural Remedies and Experimental Options

Melatonin’s Role:

One option is a natural remedy consisting of melatonin. Melatonin is a sleep hormone that naturally occurs in the body, and it tells your body when to sleep and wake. It is available over the counter as a sleep aid supplement. 

Due to its properties consisting of other hormones such as progesterone and estrogen, it is also affected by perimenopause and menopause, which can result in insomnia becoming persistent during menopause. 

A reduction in melatonin has been linked to infertility. So, research has shown that taking melatonin supplements may improve the levels of certain hormones associated with fertility as well as with the temporary slowing down of perimenopause. Keep in mind that additional research is needed, and it is best to consult with your medical practitioner on the safe usage of melatonin.

Ovarian Rejuvenation:

Another option is ovarian rejuvenation. This is majorly experimental and involves injecting platelet-rich plasma into your ovaries to reverse perimenopause and stimulate the ovaries. Early studies have shown that it works, and the candidates tested experienced restored menstruation, and those who had a low ovarian count managed to retrieve them for IVF procedures. Again, you will have to discuss this with your medical practitioner if you want to go down this path. 

Pregnancy Risks During Perimenopause

However, just because one can get pregnant during this period does not make it easy for everyone. This is because as you get older, not only are you battling with a decline in fertility levels, but you are also encountering additional health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and many other factors that pose a challenge. Due to this, you have to ascertain whether you are still fertile before you can even worry about your level of fertility. 

The risks associated with pregnancy while perimenopausal come about because as you age, the quality of your eggs lessens. These risks include congenital disabilities such as Down syndrome, not being able to carry the pregnancy to full term, resulting in premature birth, as well as possibly suffering from gestational diabetes, strokes, or high blood pressure. 

Safeguarding yourself against these risks means taking your medical practitioner’s prenatal care advice seriously and taking it easy. There is only so much you can do as an expecting parent, so with the little you can do, do it well. 

Conclusion: Proceeding with Caution

While pregnancy during perimenopause is a possibility, it comes with unique challenges and risks. Prioritizing health and consulting with medical professionals is key to navigating this complex period.