Pregnancy After Menopause + Its Risks

Sunday, February 02, 2025

Pregnancy after menopause is a rare phenomenon because women lose their fertility and menstrual cycle during this period. However, with certain specific conditions, it is now possible to experience pregnancy after early menopause. Stay with Saad News to learn more about pregnancy after menopause.

Pregnancy After Menopause + Its Risks

Menopause is recognized as a natural phase in a woman's life, marked by the cessation of menstruation and the end of ovulation hormone production. In the past, this process was considered the end of a woman's fertility cycle. However, with advancements in medical science and the introduction of new methods, pregnancy after menopause is now possible without a menstrual cycle.

Pregnancy after menopause is only possible under specific conditions and with the help of modern medical methods. After the cessation of menstruation for a full year, natural pregnancy is no longer possible because, due to hormonal changes, the process of ovulation and egg release no longer occurs. It is important to know that pregnancy during this period can be achieved under the supervision of a specialist, fulfilling your desire to have a child.

Methods of Birth Control During Menopause:

If you are in the pre-menopausal phase, using hormonal birth control does not delay the onset of menopause, but it may mask the symptoms of menopause by affecting ovarian hormones. The best birth control methods for women aged 40 and above include:

  • Combined birth control pills

  • Vaginal birth control ring

  • Birth control patch

To ensure which method is the most reliable and safe for you, consult your gynecologist. These birth control methods are effective until the age of 50. After that, you may use progestin-only birth control pills.

Pregnancy After Early Menopause:

Advancements in medical science and fertility treatments in recent years have made it possible to experience pregnancy after menopause. To understand this, we need to know that early menopause refers to a situation where the production of ovarian hormones in women has decreased or stopped before the typical age of menopause. While the average age for menopause is 51, early menopause occurs at ages 40 or younger, which can be due to genetic factors or certain medical conditions.

Pregnancy after early menopause is extremely rare, but some women can naturally conceive during early menopause due to the presence of remaining eggs in the ovaries. In fact, sexual intercourse during this period can lead to fertilization of these remaining eggs with sperm. Therefore, specialists recommend that if a woman is sexually active during early menopause, they should consult with a gynecologist to discuss contraception options until the typical age of menopause.

Newest Methods of Pregnancy After Menopause:

The most successful methods for pregnancy after menopause include:

  1. Artificial Insemination with Frozen Eggs:
    You can freeze young and mature eggs during your active ovulation years to use them later, during menopause or whenever you decide to conceive.

  2. IVF with Donor Eggs:
    This method is highly successful and is suitable for women who have lost their ovarian function due to illness or are trying to conceive after menopause. In this process, a healthy donor's eggs are stimulated with gonadotropin and used for fertilization.

  3. Ovarian Rejuvenation:
    One of the latest methods for conceiving after menopause, involving the use of PRP therapy. This method involves injecting platelet-rich plasma (derived from your blood sample) into your ovaries to stimulate the growth and maturation of eggs.

Risks of Pregnancy After Menopause:

New methods for pregnancy after menopause are widely used today, but they may increase certain risks for the mother or the developing fetus. Pregnancy after menopause is not naturally possible and is achieved through medical interventions, which can involve risks. Some risks include:

  • Premature birth

  • Miscarriage

  • Cesarean section

  • High blood pressure during pregnancy (preeclampsia)

  • Birth defects, such as Down syndrome

In the new methods of pregnancy during menopause, multiple eggs are often used for fertilization, which increases the likelihood of multiple pregnancies. While this in itself is not necessarily harmful, it can carry additional risks due to the advanced age of the mother and the post-menopausal pregnancy. Given these risks, it is crucial to consult with your doctor if you are considering pregnancy after menopause so that you can be fully informed and guided.

Today, pregnancy after menopause is no longer a distant dream. With the latest pregnancy methods, you can experience the sweetness of motherhood even after the age of 50. However, pregnancy after the age of 40 may come with certain risks, which should be evaluated and discussed with your gynecologist.