Menopause is the period in a woman’s life which is characterised by cessation of her menstrual cycle. Such a cessation of the menstrual cycle should be observed for at least twelve months. However even then menopause pregnancy can occur. This happens in case of certain women where the menstrual periods disappear for some time and then reappear. Ovulation may continue to occur with gaps and in this uncertainty menopause pregnancy may be experienced.

To prevent a possibility of menopause pregnancy it is advisable for women to use birth control measures. The average age of menopause is around 51 and many women go through occasional and erratic menstrual cycles in their forties and fifties. This is known as the perimenopause period. In fact as many as two third of the women between 40 and 44 ovulate and if this ovulation exists then the presence of sperm can result in a pregnancy. In perimenopause the woman’s body stops production of progesterone and estrogen. Although the production of these hormones is less they are still produced and so there is still a possibility of women experiencing menopause pregnancy.

To avoid a possibility of pregnancy in menopause it is advisable to use protection. Such protection should be used till the time the doctors confirm that the woman has completed menopause. Using natural methods during sex in the period of perimenopause so as to avoid a pregnancy is not really effective.

Where a woman has been confirmed to have gone through menopause eggs do not exist within the ovaries. The only possible way to get pregnant after a confirmed menopause is through egg donation. In this an egg donor is selected and such an egg donor receives daily injections that stimulate the egg development. After the follicles mature the donor gets an hCG injection which helps trigger the maturation of the eggs. The eggs are then harvested through an egg retrieval process.

Following this the eggs are mixed with the sperm in a laboratory. The recipient then receives medication so as to facilitate the growth of the lining within the uterus so that the embryo is readily accepted. Pregnancy in women that are older often comes with some complications such as seizures, eclampsia and even death.

In case of a menopause pregnancy most women choose to terminate this pregnancy as they feel they are old and cannot take care of another child. However for some women the news of a menopause pregnancy can bring a great deal of joy as it reminds them of their youthful years. Pregnancy during menopause can be extremely challenging and it is advisable for the woman to discuss this issue with her partner before taking any decision.