The chance of pregnancy during menopause definitely exists, depending on when in menopause you are referring to. To better understand menopause and pregnancy and what is the chance of pregnancy during menopause, first understand the definition of menopause. Menopause can be defined as the cessation of menstrual periods for twelve consecutive months. However, it's entirely possible that menstrual periods appear to be stopping for several months, only to begin again. Ovulation and the ending of ovulation can actually take years to cease for twelve months in a row for some women. During this time of ovulation uncertainty, the chance of pregnancy during menopause is actually very possible. Birth control measures should be used to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. With the average age of menopause being 51 years of age in the USA, women in their mid forties to early sixties may find themselves still having occasional menstrual periods. Some refer to this time before menopause as perimenopause. Besides the chance of pregnancy during menopause, without ovulation, there will be no production of the important hormone progesterone. In a healthy ovulating woman, estrogen and progesterone are produced each menstrual cycle and each of these hormones performs many vital functions. Without progesterone, however, the woman's body is left with an excess of estrogen, a condition called estrogen dominance or hormone imbalance. The symptoms associated with estrogen dominance or hormone imbalance are well known and should be understood by every woman in her thirties and beyond. If there's a chance you no longer ovulate regularly, learn as much as you can about the symptoms of hormone imbalance and the health consequences related to estrogen dominance. Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing |
