Perimenopause and Pregnancy: Understanding Fertility During the Transition

Perimenopause is a premenopausal state where women experience menopause symptoms, but are not yet in menopause. This lasts until she goes without a period for 12 full months and she is officially in menopause.

Time Frame

• Perimenopause is different for each woman. One woman may be in perimenopause for a few months, while another woman experiences perimenopause for several years.

Considerations

• Perimenopause usually starts after age 35, but may not start until a woman is well into her 40s or even 50s.

Significance

• During this time, a woman may not ovulate and menstruate regularly, but she is still fertile when she does ovulate and menstruate and may get pregnant.

Symptoms

• A perimenopausal woman may experience menopause symptoms like hot flashes, irregular periods, fatigue, decreased sex drive, mood swings and urinary problems.

Prevention/Solution

• If pregnancy is not wanted, then a perimenopausal woman should remain on her birth control or use condoms, a diaphragm or other preventative measures until she goes a full year without a period.