Climacteric and Pregnancy
After the age of 45, it is natural for all women to begin experiencing irregular menstrual cycles, marking the start of a period known as the “climacteric.” In some cases, it is common for the climacteric to cause a lack of some periods.
Some women may not have a period for up to a year, leading them to become less diligent in using contraceptive methods.1
It is true that the chances of pregnancy are lower, but it is not impossible. Therefore, it is advisable to keep in mind that there is still a chance for pregnancy, and complications can be greater without proper medical guidance.
What is Climacteric or Perimenopause?
It is the process that occurs before complete ovarian failure in women, starting about 5 years before the last menstruation. It is known that from age 35 to 40, ovarian quality decreases significantly.2
Between ages 40 and 45 is when the climacteric period can begin for women or menstruating individuals. By the age of 50 to 55, it is possible to go a year without menstruating, at which point menopause is clinically declared.
There are also instances when, before age 35, a woman begins to experience significant ovarian deficiency. This is known as premature menopause.1-2
Pregnant or Perimenopausal?
During pregnancy, vaginal discharge increases and becomes elastic, clear, like egg whites; during perimenopause, vaginal dryness is more common, making sexual intercourse more difficult.3
A pregnant woman experiences hot flashes as hormones are imbalanced, while in perimenopause, women have sudden night sweats.
Morning nausea and vomiting are common pregnancy symptoms, and digestive discomfort is also expected.1-3
During the first few months or weeks of pregnancy, a woman feels tired and experiences volatile mood swings, which are also common in women entering perimenopause.
If there is still uncertainty, it is best to take a blood test to determine pregnancy.
What options do women have who have reached the climacteric but still want to have children?
We understand that every woman’s circumstances are different. Today, many women have decided to delay motherhood, but that does not mean they do not want to be mothers—just that, for various reasons, they have not yet had a pregnancy.3
UR-Crea offers alternatives for those who wish to become mothers but have entered the climacteric period, making natural conception more difficult.
- Using your own eggs: In the case of women with premature menopause, if addressed promptly, it is possible to retrieve some eggs through ovarian stimulation to obtain a sufficient number that allows the creation of a good-quality embryo to be implanted into the patient’s uterus.
- IVF with donated eggs: If it is not possible to retrieve quality oocytes or their number has drastically decreased, there is the option of egg donation from a younger woman who can provide high-quality eggs. At UR-Crea, you can rest assured that a genetic match will be made to ensure a successful pregnancy.4
- Receiving embryos: There are embryos that have been frozen and donated by women who have undergone ovarian stimulation but had some surplus embryos. These represent hope, as after several tests, if there is compatibility, implantation in the recipient is performed.3-4
- Egg vitrification: Another preventive option, if the patient previously froze her eggs before menopause, is to delay motherhood until she is ready to start her family while maintaining the necessary quality for implantation.5
Thanks to recent research, it is possible for a woman to delay motherhood to an age where, typically, having a baby would be risky.
- Egg donation: Using a younger woman’s egg, along with proper treatment and follow-up, can result in a pregnancy with the same risks and opportunities as that of a younger woman.6
- Ovarian rejuvenation: This is a safe process for women seeking pregnancy through ART; it involves injecting the patient’s own platelet-rich plasma and growth factors into the ovary, yielding positive results for fertility.7
If you’re reading this blog, you may have decided to start a family, having reached certain milestones, and now your next goal, perhaps the most important for you at this moment, is to have a baby.
Time is crucial for your health and that of your future child. However, UR-Crea offers a wide range of possibilities through its techniques and treatments to help you achieve your goal.7-8
What is UR-Crea, and how can we help if you have infertility issues?
At UR-Crea Reproductive Medicine, we have over 30 years of experience. We offer various treatments such as in vitro fertilization, ovarian rejuvenation, egg donation, and the ROPA method, among others. That is why we carry out a diagnostic protocol that is key to helping you.
Our network is composed of a team of specialists in gynecology and obstetrics, reproductive biology, embryology, perinatology, anesthesiology, and nursing staff; all are trained to provide excellent patient care.
We nurture the dreams of those who long to become mothers and fathers. We offer a trusting environment based on the ethics and professionalism of our team, who provide personal and compassionate care. Come and meet us!
References:
- NACE. Igenomics. Pregnancy in Menopause: Treatments and Precautions. Available at: https://nace.igenomix.es/?s=menopausia
- Natalben.com. Symptoms of Perimenopause and Pregnancy, Differences.. Available at: https://www.natalben.com/en-el-embarazo/embarazo-curiosidades/premenopausia-puedo-quedarme-embarazada
- BBC.com in Spanish. How It Is Possible to Get Pregnant After Menopause. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2015/04/150414_salud_menopausia_embarazo_il
- UR-Crea Treatments. In Vitro Fertilization. Available at:https://ur-crea.mx/en/treatment/in-vitro-fertilization/
- UR-Crea Treatments. Egg Donation. Available at:https://ur-crea.mx/en/treatment/egg-donation/
- UR-Crea Techniques. Egg Vitrification. Available at:https://ur-crea.mx/en/technica/oocyte-vitrification/
- UR-CRea Techniques. Ovarian Rejuvenation. Available at:https://ur-crea.mx/en/treatment/ovarian-rejuvenation/
- UR-Crea webpage. https://ur-crea.mx/en/treatments/
- UR-Crea webpage. Techniques. https://ur-crea.mx/en/technicas/
