Perimenopause and Pregnancy

Can you get pregnant during perimenopause? Though it is a fact that fertility will begin to decrease at this stage of life, the good news is yes, it is still possible to conceive. The chances of a woman becoming pregnant during perimenopause range from 10-20% for those 45 years of age, and the chances drop to 5% for women who are 50 years of age. As long as a woman has not entered menopause, which means she has not had a period for at least 12 consecutive months, her chances of conceiving are low but still entirely possible.

How Does Pregnancy during Perimenopause Work?

It is important for women to know that unless they are in menopause, they are still capable of getting pregnant. Though the odds are slight, it is important for those who do not wish to conceive to continue to use birth control to avoid an unwanted pregnancy until they are no longer ovulating. Women who are still ovulating may experience a drop in hormones, such as estrogen, but menstruation is an indication that ovulation is still taking place, and the body is still able to release eggs that are capable of being fertilized.

Ovarian Health during Perimenopause

As a woman ovulates, any mature follicles contained within her ovaries will burst to release at least one egg. Once a woman nears menopause, she will likely find that her ovulation cycle is now irregular. This does not indicate that ovulation has stopped. Instead, it demonstrates that in spite of not having a regular period, the ovaries still contain eggs that are capable of being fertilized. This should come as good news to those who think their window to conceive has closed. Since hormone levels will continue to fluctuate at this stage in a woman’s life, it is important to bring balance to those hormones to help the ovaries to continue releasing viable eggs.

What are the chances of getting pregnant during perimenopause

Traditional Chinese Medicine’s (TCM) View on Perimenopause and Pregnancy

Perimenopause is a transitional period leading up to menopause, during which a woman’s hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone, fluctuate significantly. In TCM terms, these hormonal changes can disrupt the balance between Yin (cool, receptive, and nourishing energy) and Yang (warm, active, and transforming energy) within the body. This imbalance might manifest as symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, irregular periods, mood swings, and changes in libido.

From a TCM perspective, natural pregnancy during perimenopause can be influenced by factors such as the health of the Kidney and Liver meridians, the quality of Qi and blood circulation, and the balance between Yin and Yang.

TCM practitioners aim to bring balance to the hormones in an effort to help women find relief from symptoms while also encouraging ovulation. To do so, a TCM practitioner will work to improve blood flow, rid the body of toxins, and unblock any energy channels that may be causing irregular menstruation. Hormonal cycles are closely related to the energy of the liver and kidney systems.

The liver’s role in menstruation is to properly control the flow of Qi as well as the storage of blood. When the liver Qi is stagnant or blocked, the symptoms may range from an absent or irregular period to having heavy periods. Breast tenderness and menstrual pain can also indicate liver Qi stagnation. An excess of liver Qi can result in liver heat if left untreated. Since the liver is also affected by stress, it is important that women hoping to conceive speak with a TCM practitioner to discuss stress management techniques. In addition to stress, there may be toxins and certain types of food which may have a negative effect on the liver.

Like the liver, the kidneys also has a significant role in the regulation of the mensural cycle. The kidneys are responsible for growth and aging as well as storing jing. Jing, or kidney essence, is known to decline with age. Those who are experiences irregular periods may struggling with kidney yang deficiency. This then leads to both stagnation and coldness. If the kidneys continue to experience deficiencies, the result may be poorly functioning kidneys that negatively impact a woman’s reproductive health.

Traditional Chinese Medicine offers hope to those who are attempting to conceive during perimenopause. Not only will TCM help to improve a women’s odds of conception, but treatment may even help bring relief to some of the uncomfortable symptoms associated with menopause. Treatments such as acupuncture in conjunction with Chinese herbs and a healthy diet and exercise regimen are all non-invasive, drug-free options that have been shown to lead to conception.

• Acupuncture: Acupuncture has a centuries-old history of being both safe and effective for those who are trying to conceive. Since it has been shown to improve blood flow, acupuncture can help to regulate the menstrual cycle. It can improve an irregular period thanks to its ability to promote blood circulation.  Treatment with acupuncture may also reduce phlegm and clear heat while invigorating the blood. Thanks to acupuncture’s ability to bring balance to the body’s nervous system, it is even successful in helping women to reduce stress.

Luckily TCM provides an effective natural solution to tackling peri menopausal symptoms and also increasing your fertility during perimenopause. According to a study that was recently published in the prestigious British Medical Journal Open, women who experienced excess sweating, mood swings, sleep disturbances, and skin and hair problems experienced significant reductions in these symptoms after having acupuncture treatment. These findings prompted the researchers to conclude that acupuncture offers “a realistic treatment option for women”. Another large scale review in the journal Medicine found that the pregnancy rate in women who had acupuncture treatment was significantly higher when compared to those that did not receive this treatment.

• Chinese Medicinal Herbs: There are a number of herbs with a track record of improving pregnancy chances. The reproductive tonic Dong Quai contains antioxidants that have been shown to aid in conception. Treatment with Dong Quai may help to regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce uterine fibroids. Goji berries also have antioxidant properties and have been shown to promote fertility. Wild yam is often used for those who are experiencing uterine cramping. Due to containing a natural form of progesterone, wild yam can help to thicken the walls of the uterus to improve the chances of implantation.

Dong Quai or Angelica sinensis has been used for centuries in Chinese Medicine. It is rich in compounds with anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulating effects, and the dong quai pills can be added to your daily routine for its many health benefits. Often coined as “women’s fertility herb” or “female ginseng” this powerful herb is used to balance female hormones and menstrual cycle. 

Goji Berry supplements have no added preservatives, and offer a convenient alternative for people who struggle to add the fresh berries to their diet or find the fruit to have a sour taste. Goji berry tablets/ capsules by GinSen, contains natural sources of antioxidants and are rich in iron which provide nutrition to the blood , improve energy levels naturally and various benefits. 

Yes, Acupuncture is a natural way to improve blood flow and bring nutrients to the reproductive organs. It helps restore the energy balance of the body holistically and also works by unblocking the energy channels of the uterus, which will finally lead to an improvement in egg quality and increase the chances of conceiving. Along with acupuncture, other TCM treatments, supplements, and herbal tea are also helpful for supporting egg maturation during perimenopause.

Related: Improve Egg Quality for IVF