Can I get pregnant after menopause?

Verified by Dr. Vaishali Sakpal Rane (MBBS, DGO Obstetrics and Gynaecology, DNB Obstetrics and Gynaecology)

As you approach menopause, you may be wondering if you may still become pregnant after menopause. It's an excellent question since the response will influence birth control and family planning choices.

It's critical to comprehend this phase of life's transformation. Even if you experience hot flashes and irregular periods, you still have a chance to become pregnant. However, it does imply that you are most likely far less fertile than you formerly were.

Until you have gone a full year without having a period, you have not officially entered menopause. Your hormone levels will have altered sufficiently by the time you reach post menopause for your ovaries to stop producing eggs. Natural conception is no longer attainable.

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During menopausal transition phase there are irregular menses and missed periods. Though there is rapid depletion of eggs and ovarian function some of the cycles are ovulatory ie egg producing. So there is a minute chance that you may get pregnant during this phase of menopausal transition. However once menopause is achieved i.e no menses for 1 year the chances of pregnancy come down to zero.

All women are born with definite number of eggs . With age the eggs get depleted and its rapid after age of 37. As the eggs are depleted the ovaries decrease the production of oestrogen and progesterone. This removes negative feedback inhibition and increases the level of FSH and LH.

You may start experiencing symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats when your hormone levels change. Your period duration and frequency are becoming more erratic. Some months, your ovaries may release an egg; other months, they may not. It is naturally not possible to get pregnant post menopause. However, one can conceive while being in a perimenopause phase with the right guidance from a doctor. But there are several other artificial fertility treatments that can be used to become pregnant under the guidance of a doctor.