Treatment FAQ

women who go thru fertility treatment and menapause

by Mr. Ottis Larkin II Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Yes. With the help of IVF, women who have gone through menopause can still get pregnant, whether menopause came early or at a more expected time. You will need to use donor eggs, but chances are that you can still carry and deliver a healthy baby.

Full Answer

Do fertility treatments cause early menopause?

Oct 18, 2016 · With the help of IVF, women who have gone through menopause can still get pregnant, whether menopause came early or at a more expected time. You will need to use donor eggs, but chances are that you can still carry and deliver a healthy baby.

What are my options for early menopause and fertility?

Women who reach menopause cannot conceive a child naturally or through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Menopause generally occurs in a woman’s late 40s to early 50s, with 51 being the average age in the U.S. Most of the time women experience natural menopause, when their eggs are depleted and the ovaries reduce production of estrogen and progesterone, the hormones that …

Can you do in vitro fertilization after menopause?

May 04, 2017 · Perimenopause. Perimenopause is a time of transition — the “change of life.”. Your ovaries are starting to produce less estrogen and progesterone. LH and FSH levels are starting to rise as ...

How can I get pregnant if I’m in menopause?

Aug 13, 2021 · Treatments After menopause, you may be able to conceive. IVF offers hope to women who wish to have a kid even if they are already in menopause. Some therapies are listed below: Donation of Eggs. Donor eggs can be used to create a pregnancy (egg donation treatment). Because the donor is younger and healthier, he or she will have more viable eggs.

Does fertility treatment affect menopause?

No. Fertility medications, prescribed by a fertility specialist like Dr. Erika Munch increase the chances for pregnancy, but not the rate at which a woman reaches menopause. However, there is still this myth about fertility treatment and early menopause.

Can a woman in menopause go through IVF?

Women who reach menopause cannot conceive a child naturally or through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Menopause generally occurs in a woman's late 40s to early 50s, with 51 being the average age in the U.S.

Does fertility treatment accelerate menopause?

Can IVF/fertility drugs cause early menopause? Absolutely not. There is a persistent rumor that undergoing IVF or other fertility treatments can bring on an early menopause.Oct 18, 2016

Can you do IVF if you are premenopausal?

During perimenopause, fertility treatments like IVF may be able to help a woman achieve pregnancy, but due to poor quality eggs as a result of the woman's age, egg donation may still be recommended to produce healthy embryos.

What is a menopause baby?

The menopause baby

The woman may go for months or even a year between having one period and the next. This long time frame is what may lead to a menopause baby. During the time when the female body is not having a menstrual cycle, the body may still be releasing those last few eggs.
Aug 10, 2021

What is the maximum age for IVF treatment?

The ideal cut-off age for IVF is 47-50, but if the woman is extremely fit, then this age limit can be raised to 52-53 years.”Sep 20, 2019

Is there a surge of fertility before menopause?

Is there a surge in fertility in the years immediately prior to menopause? It is possible that there may be a slight relative increase as the body naturally stimulates the ovaries more aggressively.

Can a woman still produce eggs after menopause?

After menopause, a woman no longer produces eggs and thus cannot become pregnant naturally. But although eggs succumb to this biological clock, pregnancy is still possible using a donor egg. Therefore, all of the women in the study had an egg from a younger woman implanted into her uterus.Nov 11, 2002

What is the normal age for menopause?

Menopause is a point in time 12 months after a woman's last period. The years leading up to that point, when women may have changes in their monthly cycles, hot flashes, or other symptoms, are called the menopausal transition or perimenopause. The menopausal transition most often begins between ages 45 and 55.Sep 30, 2021

Do you still ovulate during perimenopause?

During perimenopause your ovaries are winding down. This means that some months you will ovulate, sometimes twice in a cycle, while in other months, no egg will be released. "The pattern of hormonal fluctuations can become quite erratic and feel chaotic," says Jean Hailes endocrinologist, Dr Sonia Davison.Mar 8, 2017

Why do women have a lot of eggs during menopause?

The most common cause of early menopause is cancer treatment, such as radiation, or surgery which removes the ovaries. Autoimmune or thyroid diseases and infection can also take their toll on a woman’s egg supply. In other cases, the reason is unknown.

How do fertility drugs work?

Fertility drugs work by stimulating the follicles that your body has already produced, so that more of them come to maturity. This ovarian stimulation simply utilizes more of the eggs that would normally have been lost in that menstrual cycle. It does not in any way deplete your natural egg supply.

What is it called when a woman's period stops?

Also known as premature ovarian insufficiency , this diagnosis is applied to women whose period stops permanently before their 40s. Menopause happens when a woman’s ovaries no longer have eggs to produce. After menopause, the amount of fertility hormones in the body (estrogen and progesterone) become much lower, which means that ovulation and menstruation cease.

How old is the average woman during menopause?

The average age of menopause in the US is 51, with most women experiencing the cessation of their menstrual cycle somewhere between the ages of 48 and 55. Premature menopause may affect between 1% and 4% of women, sometimes when they are still in their 20s.

What is the success rate of IVF?

IVF with donor eggs has the highest success rate of any fertility treatment. Nationally, the success rates are around 52%, with some clinics reaching as high as 75%. You should feel free to ask your fertility clinic about their success rates among patients who match your age, diagnosis, and chosen treatment. Early menopause can be an upsetting diagnosis to receive, but with the right care your chances of coming home with a healthy baby at the end of treatment may be much higher than you think.

How many follicles do you have in a normal cycle?

This is categorically false. In a normal cycle, your body produces 10 to 20 egg follicles each month. As the cycle progresses, one of these follicles will become dominant and fully mature to produce the egg that will be released that month. The rest of the immature eggs will be lost.

Can IVF cause menopause?

Absolutely not . There is a persistent rumor that undergoing IVF or other fertility treatments can bring on an early menopause. The general theory is that because the fertility drugs stimulate the ovaries to mature and release 10 to 15 eggs (instead of the one egg released during the body’s natural ovulation) they may lead to “running out of eggs” earlier. This is categorically false.

Why do women experience menopause?

During the last year or two of perimenopause, many women begin to experience symptoms of menopause (see below) because the drop in estrogen production accelerates at this time. After perimenopause and menopause, women are said to be in postmenopause. Most women notice a drop in symptoms at this time. Since estrogen levels are so low in ...

What is menopause in women?

What is menopause? Women are said to enter menopause, a normal part of aging in females, when they have not had their monthly period for a year. Women who reach menopause cannot conceive a child naturally or through in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Why do women notice a drop in symptoms?

Most women notice a drop in symptoms at this time. Since estrogen levels are so low in postmenopause, many women are at higher risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. This is the time when hormone replacement therapy or lifestyle changes may be recommended to reduce a woman’s risk of these conditions.

How to avoid hot flashes during menopause?

They can identify and avoid things that trigger their symptoms, such as spicy foods that cause hot flashes. Lifestyle changes include: Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods. Eat a healthy diet.

What hormones are replaced in perimenopause?

Hormone replacement therapy replaces the hormone estrogen, and sometimes the progesterone hormone, that a woman produces less of in perimenopause or menopause. Hormone replacement can reduce symptoms, particularly hot flashes.

Why does menopause start sooner?

Menopause can begin sooner for some women due to their ovaries not functioning, because of medical treatments such as chemotherapy, or having an oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries). When menopause happens to a woman before age 40, it’s called premature menopause or primary ovarian insufficiency.

How long does menopause last?

Symptoms of menopause often begin in a woman’s 40s and can last for up to a decade. They are caused by hormonal changes. A woman’s menstrual cycle is regulated by the ebb and flow of reproductive hormones that trigger the chain of events in menstruation.

When do you get menopause?

If it’s been an entire year since your last period, you’ve reached menopause. For most women, this occurs somewhere between the ages of 40 and 55, with an average age of 51.

What hormones are rising during perimenopause?

Perimenopause is a time of transition — the “change of life.” Your ovaries are starting to produce less estrogen and progesterone. LH and FSH levels are starting to rise as your ovaries are becoming less responsive to them.

What is PRP in perimenopausal women?

PRP contains growth factors, hormones, and cytokines. Early efforts to restore activity in the ovaries of perimenopausal women indicate that ovarian activity restoration is possible, but only temporarily. Research is still in the early stages. Clinical trials are underway.

What hormones are involved in ovulation?

In the middle of your monthly cycle, LH, FSH, and estrogen work together, prompting your ovaries to release a mature egg during ovulation. Ovulation can’t occur unless your hormone levels are within the optimal range. If the egg is fertilized, LH stimulates progesterone production to maintain the pregnancy.

Is postmenopausal pregnancy more likely to be a major or minor pregnancy?

When compared with premenopausal women, postmenopausal women are more likely to experience both minor and major complications of pregnancy after IVF.

Can you still conceive during perimenopause?

Read more: Pregnancy during perimenopause ». Although your fertility is declining, you can still conceive. If you don’t want to get pregnant, you need to use birth control throughout perimenopause.

Is birth control necessary after menopause?

Once you’re postmenopausal, your hormone levels will never again be in the suitable range for ovulation and pregnancy. Birth control is no longer necessary.

Why do women get pregnant during perimenopause?

A woman may seek to become pregnant during perimenopause for a variety of reasons. She either had problems conceiving earlier in her life or as a result of her lifestyle choices or circumstances. Reasons may include job priorities or financial difficulties. Or she was simply not ready to be a mom.

How old do you have to be to get menopause?

You’ve achieved menopause if it’s been a year since your last menstruation. Most women reach this age between the ages of 40 and 55, with an average of 51.

What is the term for a period of transition when ovaries produce less oestrogen?

Perimenopause is a period of transition which is referred to as the “change of life.” Your ovaries are producing less oestrogen and progesterone, as your ovaries become less receptive to LH and FSH, their levels begin to rise.

How long does perimenopause last?

Perimenopause lasts between three and five years before menopause. At this point, a woman’s oestrogen levels plummet, limiting her chances of becoming pregnant.

What hormones are produced during the reproductive years?

You produce oestrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) during your reproductive years (FSH). LH, FSH, and oestrogen work together in the middle of your monthly cycle to stimulate your ovaries to release a mature egg during ovulation.

Why do women need hormone therapy?

A woman will also require hormone therapy during postmenopause. This is done to prepare the body for implantation and to ensure that the baby is carried to term.

What are the symptoms of ovulation?

Ovulation symptoms include breast soreness, white vaginal discharge, and the usage of ovulation test strips. Depending on your goals, you can then either prevent or boost your chances of becoming pregnant.

When do women start menopause?

By the age of 51, most women will have started menopause and will be unable to conceive or have a successful pregnancy.

What are the risks of perimenopause?

1 Fertility in Women as They Age. 2 Menopause and Fertility. 3 Potential Risks of Pregnancy During Perimenopause. 4 Postmenopause and In Vitro Fertilization. 5 Talk to a Provider. Perimenopausal changes can start in your late 30s and 40s, so if you’re starting to experience changes in your body, it could mean your body is preparing for menopause. ...

How long does perimenopause last?

Perimenopause can last six or more years for some women. It starts with changes in your menstrual cycle and can include menopause-related symptoms. This continues until you hit the 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. During this perimenopausal time period, there is still a chance you could conceive.

What is the term for a woman who has not had a period for 12 months?

That may surprise you! The term menopause has actually been used loosely over the years to describe what’s actually known as perimenopause. The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) defines menopause as the point in time when a woman reaches 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period.

How many eggs are left in a woman during her perimenopausal period?

When you start your perimenopausal transition, you only have roughly 100 eggs left (vs the 1-2 million eggs you were born with). The limited number of eggs, combined with age-related uterine changes, reduce your level of fertility.

What are the risks of pregnancy?

Health risks during pregnancy that increase after the age of 35 can include: 1 Gestational diabetes 2 Multiple pregnancies 3 High blood pressure 4 Miscarriages or stillbirths 5 Placenta previa 6 Cesarean births 7 Premature or low birth weight

How many chances do women have of getting pregnant at 30?

A healthy, fertile woman at the age of 30 has a 20% chance of getting pregnant every month that she tries to conceive.

What is the process of menopause?

Menopause is the physical change that marks the end of menstruation. The process of menopause is slow and begins months or years before the menstruation phase ends. The process has three stages (1): This is the time when your reproductive cycle turns erratic, misses the rhythm and ultimately stops. What if you want to get pregnant ...

How to improve chances of conception?

Diet and exercise: Have a balanced diet and exercise to stay fit and healthy. These will improve the chances of conception.

What are the stages of a woman's biological cycle?

Puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause. These are the various stages in a woman’s biological cycle. One leads to the other, while pregnancy can happen at any time during a woman’s years of fertility. The chances of getting pregnant come down as the woman crosses 35 years. By her 40s, the perimenopause is likely to begin ...

How do you know if you are ovulating?

Signs such as breast tenderness and white vaginal discharge could help you know you are ovulating.

What causes placenta previa?

Gestational diabetes. Placenta previa, in which the placenta lies low in the womb and causes problems during childbirth. Placental abruption in which the placenta is detached from the womb, causing fetal growth problems, stillbirth, and premature birth. Stillbirth or miscarriage.

What are the signs of ovulation?

Intercourse during ovulation: Observe the signs of ovulation such as breast tenderness, abdominal bloating, increased sex drive, slight cramping, and white discharge. Ovulation time is the most fertile time in the menstrual cycle. Diet and exercise: Have a balanced diet and exercise to stay fit and healthy.

How many months can you get pregnant during perimenopause?

If you hope to become pregnant during perimenopause, and you have not conceived even after six months of trying, you should consult a doctor. The below measures can increase your chances of getting pregnant:

How long does perimenopause last?

According to the Office on Women's Health, perimenopause typically starts when a woman is in her mid-40s, and can last about four years until periods fully stop.

What are the steps of IVF?

In women who are of childbearing age, there are five steps to IVF: stimulation, egg retrieval, insemination and fertilization, embryo culture, and embryo transfer. However, because women who have already gone through menopause are not producing eggs, they do not need to go through the first two steps, and will instead have to use eggs from a donor.

Where is the embryo placed in IVF?

From there, it's like any other IVF pregnancy: Once a fertilized egg divides and become an embryo outside of the body, per the NLM, it's placed inside the woman's womb, where she can carry the embryo, then fetus, to term.

Can IVF be done outside of the body?

From there, it's like any other IVF pregnancy: Once a fertilized egg divides and become an embryo outside of the body, per the NLM, it's placed inside the woman's womb, where she can carry the embryo, then fetus, to term. Of course, getting pregnant via IVF, like all pregnancies, comes with risks. But, if you’re otherwise healthy, an IVF-induced ...

Can IVF cause pregnancy after menopause?

But, if you’re otherwise healthy, an IVF-induced pregnancy after menopause won’t necessarily bring any new risks to the table. The risks are the typical risks associated with pregnancy, explains Dr. Nachtigall. (Think: high blood pressure, preeclampsia, infections, preterm labor, etc.)

Can you get pregnant during perimenopause?

You can, however, get pregnant during perimenopause, or the lead-up to menopause. During perimenopause, women can have irregular periods, along with other perimenopausal symptoms, for quite a while until they officially hit menopause. According to the Office on Women's Health, perimenopause typically starts when a woman is in her mid-40s, and can last about four years until periods fully stop.

Can a woman have children after her period?

For the most part, it's common knowledge that, once a woman stops having her period, then she also stops having the ability to have children. Or at least it was, until news reports highlight that women past childbearing age—like Omaha native Cecile Edge, at 61 years old—are able to give birth to their own grandchildren in some instances.

How does uterine rejuvenation work after menopause?

For the woman who has already experienced menopause, there is a uterine rejuvenation process she must go through to prepare her womb for the embryo. Though the uterus atrophies considerably after menopause, estrogen and progesterone therapy can return the womb to a healthy state. Hormonal stimulation in this instance is more important than ever, as after menopause, the uterus can potentially shrink to a third of its normal size. In some women, the endometrial lining has thinned also, requiring an extended period of hormonal treatment prior to the IVF cycle to restore it to a size and thickness adequate to support a healthy pregnancy. An initial three-month period of cyclical estrogen/progesterone treatment prior to IVF therapy has been found to support a successful outcome.

How old is the oldest woman to have a baby?

While we don’t suggest it, the current world record for the oldest woman to give birth as a result of IVF is 72. One should consider the implications of having a baby at any age and ensure there is a strong support system for the child into adulthood should anything happen to the mother.

Can a postmenopausal woman have a successful pregnancy?

Societal norms are driving more and more women to delay pregnancy, sometimes until they reach their forties or fifties! Frozen donor eggs have made it possible for a postmenopausal woman to achieve a successful pregnancy at the same rate as a woman in her twenties or thirties.

Is a woman in her fifties good?

These days, a woman in her fifties is often in as good or even better shape than women fifteen or even twenty years her junior. But regardless of age, it is always recommended for the potential mother to bring her body to its absolute peak of wellness before beginning treatment that could lead to a pregnancy.

Can you have a frozen donor egg during postmenopausal pregnancy?

Whether you have postponed starting a family to pursue your career and/or higher education or you wish to grow your family with a new spouse, postmenopausal pregnancy is very much possible with frozen donor egg!

What are the changes that women go through during menopause?

Here are 12 changes women can go through leading up to and during menopause: 1. Hot flashes. Two of the most common complaints to doctors about menopause are hot flashes and night sweats. Hot flashes are the feelings of intense heat not caused by external factors.

What are the effects of menopause?

Hot flashes, incontinence, and weight gain are just some of the effects of menopause. Read our blog for a list of changes women go through during this time.

Why does hair grow slowly during menopause?

Hair loss during menopause is the direct result of the hormonal imbalance women experience in menopause. So you can thank lower levels of estrogen and progesterone again for your hair thinning. As these levels drop, hair grows slowly and can become thinner.

How long do hot flashes last?

Once a woman reaches menopause, though, she can still continue to have hot flashes for up to 5 years. There are even cases of women dealing with hot flashes for 10 years and even longer.

How long does perimenopause last?

It’s also important to remember that most of these are actually symptoms of perimenopause, which is the time before menopause, and can last for roughly four years before a woman permanently stops menstruating.

How long can you go without your period?

Menopause marks one full year without your period after going through perimenopause. As you can experience irregular periods during perimenopause, which can make you think you’ve reached menopause, this time frame is important to understand. For most women, this occurs between the ages of 40 and 55, buy the average age in the United States is 52. [3]

When does menopause start?

It occurs when a woman hasn’t menstruated for 12 consecutive months and can no longer become pregnant through natural means. It usually begins sometime in a woman’s 40s or 50s.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9