6 surprising myths and facts about perimenopause and fertility

Did you know it’s possible to experience perimenopause and get pregnant? Even though conversations surrounding perimenopause may be more common these days (which is great!), myths still abound. Adding questions about fertility to the mix can make what is sometimes an emotion-filled journey more taxing. Here, we set the record straight with facts to help you navigate this season of life, whether you want to be pregnant or not.

What is perimenopause?

Menopause is confirmed by the absence of menstrual periods for one year.¹ The changes leading up to menopause are called perimenopause, which means “around menopause.”²

When does menopause start?

The average age by which a woman experiences menopause is 51.¹ Perimenopause can start many years before menopause. Perimenopause can be divided into two stages: early perimenopause and late perimenopause. During early perimenopause, you may notice a change in your menstrual cycle length of seven or more days.² During late perimenopause, your periods may occur 60 or more days apart.² If you think you might be experiencing perimenopause, the Clearblue® Menopause Stage Indicator can provide an indication of your likely menopause stage. Your healthcare professional can then confirm your stage.

Perimenopause or pregnant?

Some women might wonder whether they’re experiencing perimenopause or pregnancy symptoms. Perimenopause symptoms may not be present at all or may include changes to your menstrual cycle (including the flow and amount of time between periods), hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbance, incontinence, mood changes and vaginal issues (such as dryness and painful sex).^2,3 Many of these symptoms are similar to common pregnancy symptoms. But you might experience some symptoms in pregnancy that you typically don’t experience in perimenopause. These include a late or missed period, food sensitivity, sensitive and/or swollen breasts and nausea.⁴ If you have questions and/or concerns about your symptoms, contact your healthcare professional.

Myths and facts about perimenopause

The subject of perimenopause comes with a lot of misconceptions about age and fertility. Here we clear up some of the most common ones. In short: fertility declines with age, but getting pregnant during perimenopause is possible.

Myth: Perimenopause doesn’t happen until you’re too old to have a baby.

Fact: Think back to your early 20s. You may have never heard the word “perimenopause,” and even if you had, anything related to menopause was something that happened when you were “old,” right? Certainly too old to have a baby! Fact: Perimenopause can last anywhere from two to 14 years.^5,6 It’s possible to experience perimenopause symptoms when you’re still able to get pregnant. And although your body begins to make less estrogen during perimenopause, you may still ovulate.⁷ So, yes, you can you get pregnant during perimenopause.

Myth: Your chances of getting pregnant during perimenopause are so low that you don’t need to use birth control.

Fact: Maybe you’ve long considered perimenopause a time when you can stop worrying about birth control. The chances of pregnancy, you think, are so low it doesn’t matter! Fact: While pregnancy becomes less likely as you get older, it is still possible until you’ve gone 12 months without a period (and menopause has been confirmed by your doctor).⁸ In addition, The Menopause Society doesn’t recommend relying solely on natural family planning for perimenopausal women because it can be difficult to predict when you’re ovulating when your periods are irregular.⁸ Your healthcare professional can recommend the best contraceptive options for you during perimenopause.

Myth: If you’re in your 40s and you haven’t gone through menopause, fertility treatments are a good backup plan if you can’t get pregnant naturally.

If you know someone who’s had successful fertility treatments after 40, it can be especially easy to silence the proverbial ticking clock.

Fact: Fertility begins to gradually decline in your 30s, often well before perimenopause begins. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), most women become unable to have a successful pregnancy in their mid-40s — this includes through natural conception and with fertility treatments such as IVF.⁹ Both the quality and quantity of eggs gradually decline with time.⁹ ASRM notes that by the time a woman is 40, her chance of getting pregnant is less than 5% per menstrual cycle, naturally or with the help of fertility treatments.⁹

Myth: If you have symptoms of perimenopause but want to have a baby, it’s hopeless.

The timing just wasn’t right before, but now, you’re finally ready — and you think you might be experiencing perimenopause. You might feel defeated.

Fact: If you think you’re experiencing perimenopause and want to have a baby, talk to your healthcare professional. Depending on your age, health history and a whole slew of other factors, your symptoms may not be from perimenopause at all. As long as your ovaries produce a viable egg (which is still possible while experiencing perimenopause), you can get pregnant. But as you get older, getting pregnant naturally does become more difficult.

 

Myth: It’s possible to have a perimenopause fertility surge.

Fact: There is no evidence that this exists. Remember, most women are not able to conceive by the time they reach their mid-40s.⁹ While there is a small chance of pregnancy during perimenopause (less than 5% per menstrual cycle), there’s no surge.⁹

 

Myth: Every woman will go through perimenopause. Right? Because if not, why do so many of us go through it?

Fact: Some women experience induced menopause, which is when they no longer can ovulate and their periods stop due to the surgical removal of ovaries or permanent changes from certain cancer treatments.¹

If you haven’t gone through perimenopause yet, know this: Your experience will be unique to you. If you have questions about perimenopause and fertility, talk to your healthcare professional.

 

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• Chances of pregnancy after 35
• Menopause is more than just hot flashes (Yes — there’s more!)