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1. Can pregnancy occur during menopause?
No . After menopause occurs, that is, the last menstrual period, it is naturally not possible for the woman to become pregnant.
It is worth remembering that menstrual blood falls because the organism, which was preparing to gestate a baby, cannot proceed with the process. That is, there was no fertilization and the endometrium (layer of blood on the wall of the uterus) came off.
Since menopause is the woman’s last period, all the eggs have been released and there will be no more ovulation.
But that does not mean that it is not feasible to become pregnant after menopause, as there are techniques, such as assisted or in vitro reproduction, that can be indicated by the gynecologist and fertilization specialist if there is a desire for pregnancy.
2. Can you get pregnant during climacteric or perimenopause?
-Yeah . Despite the fact that the fertility index starts to decline a few years before menopause, with a reduction of up to 80% in the fertility rate for some women, ovulation continues to occur in perimenopause.
This means that women must maintain contraception if they do not wish to become pregnant.
It is also important to note that pregnancy close to menopause can be more delicate, representing higher risks to the health of the mother and baby.
Still, women who wish to start the pregnancy process but are in the climacteric, if they carry out the necessary follow-ups, they can have a healthy and safe pregnancy.
3. At what age does menstruation begin to fail?
It depends on a number of factors, such as genetic, physiological and even external (such as medications or surgical treatments). In general, menopause occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, with the estimated average of Brazilian women at 51 years of age.
4.How long does the climacteric last?
Climacteric or perimenopause is an estimated period between 2 years before menopause and 1 year after. There is no way to determine the precise beginning and end of this phase, and the presence of symptoms and hormonal changes can be indicative.
But it must be remembered that not all women manifest their symptoms in a similar way, at the same intensity or with the same regularity. It is also possible that the climacteric (or the months before menopause) are totally asymptomatic.
5.What are the symptoms of menopause before age 50?
Regardless of age, the most common symptoms are hot flashes, excessive sweating, mood swings, headaches, depression , tiredness and hormonal changes.
This is not to say that you will have them all. It also does not mean that you will necessarily feel these, as there are a number of other physical and organic manifestations that can occur according to each woman.
Generally, symptoms of early menopause , before age 45 or 40, tend to be more intense. But this is not a rule.
6. Is hormone replacement mandatory for all women?
No . A few years ago, hormone replacement therapy was suggested for most women, including as a way to prevent symptoms. The problem is that unnecessary replacement can cause numerous health damage.
The lack of estrogen caused by menopause can cause very uncomfortable, mild or no symptoms at all. Therefore, treatments should be discussed and evaluated with the doctor.
If possible, it is indicated to treat the symptoms with specific non-hormonal drugs and integrated therapies. But, in the necessary cases, the replacement duly monitored by the doctor can be quite beneficial and bring more quality to the woman’s life.
7. Does hormone replacement treatment reverse menopause?
No . Menopause is the end of a woman’s fertile age. Although there are artificial possibilities for the patient to become pregnant, menopause cannot be reversed. That is, the treatments are only to alleviate the symptoms of the period.
8. Does the birth control pill speed up menopause?
No . Women who take the pill for long periods have no change in the age of menopause, and it is mainly defined by genetic factors.
Read more: Contraceptive: pill, injection, patch, how to take, fattening?
9. If my first period was too early, will I have early menopause too?
No . Scientifically, there is nothing to prove that women who menstruate early will have menopause earlier as well.
Although there is no scientific proof of the relationship, a study conducted with 50,000 women, by the International Collaborative Research Center on Approach to Reproductive Health and Chronic Diseases (INterLACE Consortium), pointed out that there may be.
The assessment indicated that among participants who had their first menstruation before the age of 11, the risks of early menopause were 80% higher than among women who menstruated after the age of 13.
Regardless of age, the study also found that there was 32% more premature menopause among women who had no children compared to women with 2 or more children.
10.After menopause, do I still need to go to the gynecologist?
-Yeah . Ideally, gynecological follow-up should be frequent throughout a woman’s life, even (or even above all) after menopause.
All symptoms and changes that the body will face must be monitored by the doctor, who needs to keep the patient informed and aware of its possibilities, such as treatments and hormone replacement.
The ideal is to maintain a frequency of at least one consultation per year. But in the beginning, a more frequent trip may be necessary, especially if any type of treatment is started (hormonal or not).
11. Is there a relationship between menopause and cancer?
No . Menopause itself does not cause cancer . It is necessary to be attentive only to the predisposition to the disease, especially if there is an intention to initiate hormonal therapy, as the replacement can lead to higher risks of developing cancer, especially those of the breast and uterus.
12. Does hormonal replacement make you fat?
No . Neither menopause nor hormone therapy actually put on weight. The lack of estrogen can favor the accumulation of fat in the abdominal region, but if physical activities and a balanced diet remain adequate, the tendency is that there will be no variations in weight.
If you experience weight gain after starting any treatment for menopausal symptoms, you should talk to your doctor to evaluate the change of medication.
Find out more about menopause:
- Find out what menopause is and understand its phases
- What are the signs and symptoms of menopause? Learn how to recognize
- Know the tests used in the diagnosis of menopause
- Menopause treatment: hormone therapy and alternative measures
- Food in menopause: what to eat and what to avoid in the diet?
- Natural remedies to ease menopausal symptoms
- Remedies for menopause and risks of hormone replacement
- How to live with menopause and deal with symptoms
- Complications of menopause: know the effects on the body
- Sex in menopause: 5 tips to combat libido reduction
- Phases of menopause: pre, peri (climacteric) and post
- Causes of menopause: why can it be premature?
