We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Should I Know About Menopause and Pregnancy?

Tricia Christensen
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 13,085
Share

Menopause and pregnancy, at least the early stages before true menopause occurs (perimenopause), are not mutually exclusive. Menopause is defined as having had no period or menstruation for 12 consecutive months. Prior to that, women may miss a period from time to time, or may even miss a couple. True menopause falls into the 12-month rule.

The trouble with conceptions about menopause and pregnancy is women may believe that if they’re near menopause they can’t get pregnant. There’s a lower incidence of birth control use in women in perimenopausal state, and it is verifiable that women may have a harder time getting pregnant if their menstruation cycles are irregular and unpredictable. However, the number of women who do get pregnant accidentally is quite high, and it’s important to understand that risk of pregnancy continues until you have missed a period for 12 months.

Some women believe that menopause and pregnancy are not possible, and they may feel discouraged if they’ve waited to have children, and if they experience early signs of menopause. There is some good news on this front because when you encounter a few beginning signs that indicate you might be entering menopause, you can still try for a baby. Due to irregularity in cycles you may need help from a fertility specialist to accomplish this, and it is important to understand risks to your child when you conceive in your 40s to 50s.

Risks of certain birth defects and conditions increase as you age. Specific conditions that are more likely in children born in older women include things like Down syndrome. Fertility treatments, depending on type, may also pose additional risks, like having multiple births, or children having certain types of congenital problems.

Instead of wanting menopause and pregnancy or pregnancy in the late 40s or early 50s, some women feel overwhelmed when this occurs. It can be a little daunting to raise children at about the same time you might be working toward investing and securing your retirement income. Others welcome this last opportunity. For these women, menopause signals the end of childbearing years, and pregnancy helps to forestall this end, and gives a chance to parent one last child.

Do not be fooled by one or two missed periods into thinking you are no longer fertile. Instead, go by the medical definition. If you want to get pregnant, beginning signs of menopause may represent your last opportunity. On the other hand, if you want to avoid pregnancy, be sure to continue to use appropriate birth control methods until true menopause occurs.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By anon93107 — On Jul 01, 2010

I have skipped several periods over the last several months but keep having just a couple then skip some more. Obviously I have not gone the requisite 12 months but I have a very hard time imagining my becoming pregnant at my age. I'm 55 and will be 56 in a just a few months. Just how many women of that age get pregnant via natural conception?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-should-i-know-about-menopause-and-pregnancy.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.