A woman’s fertile years, when she can naturally achieve pregnancy, occur between menarche (the first period) and menopause (the last period). The end of a woman’s reproductive cycle happens due to ovarian depletion, when the ovaries gradually lose function and the production of estrogen and progesterone, the main female hormones, declines.
Menopause and the Climacteric
Menopause refers to the time of a woman’s last menstruation, usually around age 50. A woman is considered to have reached menopause when she has not experienced any menstrual bleeding for a year, although the changes and symptoms often begin much earlier. The transition period before and after menopause is called the climacteric.
Symptoms of Menopause
During the climacteric, menstrual cycles become irregular, and symptoms such as hot flashes appear. The reduction in estrogen also affects the reproductive system, leading to vaginal dryness, which can make intercourse uncomfortable and increase the risk of infections. The perineal muscles also lose firmness, sometimes causing incontinence. Other effects of hormonal imbalance include an increased risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, as female hormones help protect the bones and heart. Women may also experience mood swings and a loss of libido.
Early Menopause
When ovarian insufficiency occurs before age 40, it is referred to as early menopause or primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). Premature loss of ovarian function can be due to various causes, such as genetic conditions (e.g., Turner syndrome or Fragile X syndrome), autoimmune diseases (e.g., hypothyroidism or rheumatoid arthritis), viral infections (e.g., malaria or chickenpox), cancer treatments, or surgery. Symptoms are similar to menopause, mainly featuring the absence of periods (amenorrhea). A hormonal analysis can help diagnose early loss of ovarian function.
Pregnancy and Menopause
During perimenopause (the stage before menopause), although the ovarian reserve is significantly depleted, there is still a small possibility of natural pregnancy. However, for women wishing to become mothers, egg donation is recommended to greatly increase the chances of success after ovarian failure has been diagnosed.
In Cyprus, as in many other countries, it is common for fertility professionals to set 50 as the maximum age for assisted reproduction treatments. This limit helps to minimize the potential risks associated with pregnancy in older women.
While ovarian function declines with age, the dream of becoming a mother can still be achieved, even up to age 50, through egg donation.
If you have questions about fertility after menopause or would like more information on egg donation, contact us at Nicosia Fertility!
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