Menopause Or Pregnancy What Your Late Periods And Other Symptoms Mean
Are you wondering if your late periods mean menopause or pregnancy? If you are in the age bracket of getting menopause but hoping to get pregnant, this confusion may give you sleepless nights.
The suspense intensifies because menopause and pregnancy come with similar symptoms, with late periods on top of the list. You may also want to know that can a woman get pregnant after or during menopause. This post tells you the answer.
This article also provides information on when to take a pregnancy test during menopause and what extra care you need to take if you are pregnant during menopause.
Possibility of Pregnancy During Menopause
You can't get pregnant after menopause. But menopause can officially be declared after one year of your last period. Before that, you go through perimenopause which causes mood swings, night flashes, and irregular periods. In other words, it gives you all menopausal symptoms.
Don't confuse perimenopause with menopause. They are two different stages. And it's possible to experience perimenopause and pregnancy simultaneously, especially if you are taking HRT (hormone replacement therapy).
Apart from easing the effects of menopause, HRT is taken to treat infertility as well. It replenishes the vital hormones, which leads to an increase in your fertility. So there are high chances of you getting pregnant.
Birth Control Pills During Perimenopause
During the perimenopause period, your hormones change rapidly. This stimulation gives rise to the number of eggs you release at a time. Therefore there are not only high chances of you getting pregnant during this time, but the possibility of you having twins also increases.
Don't miss your birth control pills during perimenopause if you are not hoping for a child. You can also revisit your birth control method with the help of your doctor once you enter the perimenopause stage to be safer. If you are on HRT, your doctor may want to prescribe suitable birth control pills.
Similar Symptoms of Menopause & Pregnancy
The symptom of menopause starts in the perimenopause phase. And unfortunately, this phase can last up to 10 years for some women. You can easily misunderstand some of these symptoms as signs of pregnancy after menopause.
These are some of the most common symptoms that keep you guessing whether you are pregnant or perimenopause.
· Missed period
· Weight gain
· Feeling of fatigue
· Trouble in sleeping
· Bloating and cramping
· Changes in feelings about sex
· Breast swelling and pain
· Bladder change
· Mood swings
· Hot flashes and night sweats
It is recommended not to reach any conclusion based on these symptoms without proper diagnosis.
Health Care Tips for Pregnancy During (Peri) Menopause
If you are hoping or planning for a child at your age, you need to be extra vigilant about your health. These tips help you manage your pregnancy during (peri) menopause.
· Take your prenatal vitamin pills daily without fail. Your body needs extra nourishment during pregnancy.
· Stay active the whole day unless your doctor prescribes rest due to any pre-existing condition. Being active boosts your stamina and muscle strength.
· Keep an eye on your weight gain and ensure that whatever weight you gain is healthy and will not trouble you post-pregnancy.
· Don't miss any appointments with your doctor, and keep in active touch with your doctor throughout your pregnancy.
Pregnancy After Menopause
As mentioned earlier, it's not possible to get pregnant after menopause. And menopause is a stage of life that comes after you don't get your period for one full year.
If you wish to have children after this stage, you can adopt a child and fill his or her life with love and affection. Or you can consider in vitro fertilization (IVF) with the help of a donor's egg.
But it's a highly complicated and risky procedure. You need advice from a fertility expert about the viability of your body for IVF.
Time to Take Pregnancy Test
You may not be instantly able to recognize whether it's perimenopause or you are pregnant because the symptoms are quite similar. So how would you know when is the time to take a pregnancy test?
If you haven't had your periods for more than a year, the symptoms you are experiencing are of menopause only. Otherwise, you can get a home test kit or go to the doctor for the test after some days of your missed period. Missed periods can make planning your period more difficult, and your period can sometimes arrive unexpectedly. If you're experiencing irregular periods, it's best to wear period underwear (just search "underwear period" to find some online), so that you're prepared no matter where you are. If you're experiencing spotting but no full period, you should take a pregnancy test. A positive result from a home test kit is more reliable than the negative one, however, so a visit to your fertility clinic is best if you're experiencing pregnancy symptoms.
Parting Words
You can't confirm the symptoms you are experiencing are of menopause or pregnancy without a pregnancy test. If you are sexually active, it's recommended to take the test without speculating anything.
If you hope to get pregnant during menopause, you must know and understand that you are less likely to have an uncomplicated and normal pregnancy. Choose a doctor with experience to handle pregnancies in later years and take good care of your health.
Author Bio: Krishma Patel is the Co-founder and the Superintendent Pharmacist at MedsNow, an online pharmacy in the UK that provides health and wellness products and treatments along with free online consultations. She is passionate about showcasing the integral function community pharmacies can play in supporting the healthcare system and the NHS by providing patients with high quality, safe and discreet access to healthcare at their convenience. Along with being the co-founder of MedsNow, Krishma is also the Director and the Superintendent Pharmacist of Enimed Ltd., an independent pharmacy group comprising 32 branches.