Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsStagesReversalPregnancyTreatmentRisksCostsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Stages
Reversal
Pregnancy
Treatment
Risks
Costs
Frequently Asked Questions
Menopauseis the point in a person’s reproductive cycle when they stop menstruating and therefore are no longer able to conceive a child.Perimenopauseis the stage leading up to menopause, during which time the hormonesestrogenandprogesteronestart declining.
Though menopause traditionally marks the end offertility, there has been some success with experimental treatments to temporarily reverse this process, allowing the body to restartmenstruation. If proven to be safe and effective in the future, such treatments could be promising for people who are exploring reproductive options during perimenopause.
This article provides an overview of perimenopause and menopause, as well as experimental treatments that could potentially restore fertility during these periods.
Justin Paget / Getty Images
What Are Perimenopause and Menopause?
Menopause is the permanent end of a person’smenstrual cycle. This milestone is medically defined as not having a period for a year (12 months in a row).
While menopause usually occurs naturally between the ages of 40 and 58, the exact age varies based on the individual’s genetics, medical conditions, and lifestyle factors.
Both perimenopause and menopause are a part of the same transition that marks the ending of a person’s reproductive cycle. Technically, they represent two different stages, which are:
Menopause Staging and TerminologyMenopause timing can be a confusing concept, in part due to a misuse of terminology. For example, you may hear someone say that they’re “going through menopause,” when it’s actually more likely that they’re experiencing perimenopause. Perimenopause is the period of time leading up to menopause when common symptoms like irregular periods and hot flashes occur.
Menopause Staging and Terminology
Menopause timing can be a confusing concept, in part due to a misuse of terminology. For example, you may hear someone say that they’re “going through menopause,” when it’s actually more likely that they’re experiencing perimenopause. Perimenopause is the period of time leading up to menopause when common symptoms like irregular periods and hot flashes occur.
Can Menopause Be Reversed?
Strictly speaking, menopause is a process that cannot be reversed naturally. It’s considered to be the end of a person’s reproductive cycle, meaning that they no longer have the ability to get pregnant.
That said, over the past several years, researchers have been looking into treatments that could potentially reverse menopause in its earlier stages, at least temporarily. This could potentially provide menstruating people with alternative options for pursuing a pregnancy during that point of their life.
Much more research is needed before science can confirm the widespread effectiveness of treatments that promote menopause reversal.
Pregnancy During Perimenopause
Gettingpregnant during perimenopause(the months or years leading up to your last menstrual period) may be challenging, but it is possible.
Once perimenopause begins, ovulation (the release of eggs from the ovaries) may not happen every single month. In addition, levels of estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones in the body tend to be irregular and egg quality decreases during this time. These combined factors contribute to a significant decrease in fertility among people in the perimenopausal stage, compared to younger age groups.
Many unplanned pregnancies are reported to happen in menstruating people over the age of 40, so experts recommend assuming that you’re still capable of getting pregnant until menopause is complete (after menstrual periods have permanently stopped for 12 months in a row).
Treatments
Researchers are studying possibilities for temporarily restoring ovulation in perimenopausal people or in those who are closely approaching or have reached menopause. In theory, these treatments could make it possible for an otherwise healthy person in perimenopause or menopause to become pregnant via natural conception or with additional fertility support.
As many experts point out, there’s not enough evidence to broadly recommend specific treatments for reversing menopause or to predict who would benefit from them.But the research does show promise for future treatments in this area, should they prove to be safe and effective.
Ovarian Rejuvenation
A major experimental treatment being studied is the use ofplatelet-rich plasma (PRP) injectionsto restimulate the reproductive system. It involves injecting the ovaries with PRP, which is a concentrated solution of platelets derived from a person’s own blood.
Based on PRP’s reported ability to help heal injuries or damage in the body (likeknee osteoarthritis), some scientists theorize that PRP injections may be able to stimulate the ovaries and reverse menopause, at least for a period of time.
Groups of researchers have been testing the use of PRP injections in early menopausal, perimenopausal, and menopausal patients interested in exploring their reproductive options. In two of these studies, many of the participants experienced restored menstruation, and some who had low ovarian reserve (possibly perimenopausal) were able to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)egg retrievaland, in certain cases, achieve a pregnancy.
Long-term results from these studies aren’t yet available, and more concrete evidence is needed on the effectiveness of ovarian rejuvenation.
How PRP WorksPRP injections are currently used in other fields of medicine, such as orthopedics, wound healing, and dermatology.It’s still not entirely clear exactly how PRP works, but it’s thought that the blood platelets' natural growth factors help prompt the healing process through tissue regeneration, blood flow improvement, and inflammation reduction.
How PRP Works
PRP injections are currently used in other fields of medicine, such as orthopedics, wound healing, and dermatology.It’s still not entirely clear exactly how PRP works, but it’s thought that the blood platelets' natural growth factors help prompt the healing process through tissue regeneration, blood flow improvement, and inflammation reduction.
Natural Treatment
Another treatment that’s been investigated is the use ofmelatonin.
Known as the sleep hormone, melatonin is a naturally occurring chemical that tells your body when to go to sleep and wake up. It’s also available over the counter as a sleep aid supplement.
Melatonin is also important to the development of a fetus, and lower levels of this hormone have been linked to infertility.
Research has shown that taking melatonin supplementation may improve thyroid function and improve the levels of certain hormones associated with menopause.Additional studies are needed, but based on these results, some experts believe that melatonin could be a natural treatment option for delaying menopause.
As with any medical treatment, there are potential risks that each person must weigh against the benefits, which should be done in consultation with a healthcare provider.
For ovarian rejuvenation, there is the possibility of side effects following PRP injections, such as:
In addition, pregnancies during perimenopause have more associated risks due to the potential for lower-quality eggs, variable hormones, and uterine changes that may not support a successful pregnancy.So even if a treatment proves to be more broadly effective, there hasn’t been any research on the health and viability of the restored eggs and potential pregnancies that could follow.
While experts consider melatonin generally safe for most people to use in the short term, there hasn’t been much research on the safety of its long-term use.
Additionally, melatonin has the potential to interact with other medications, and some people experience side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness,headache, andnausea.
Keep in mind that the combination of IVF with ovarian rejuvenation (which was recommended for some patients in the studies) could add roughly $12,000 to the bill.
By contrast, melatonin is available over the counter, so this price tag is much less in comparison. Still, it’s a good idea to discuss any new supplements with a healthcare provider first to avoid any potential complications or medication interactions.
Summary
Experimental treatments are currently being investigated for their potential to extend fertility into perimenopause, which precedes menopause (the point in time that traditionally marks the end of a menstruating person’s fertility). If proven to be safe and effective, these options could offer people who have reached or are approaching perimenopause an opportunity to become pregnant.
These treatments include ovarian rejuvenation and melatonin supplementation. Both still require further study and experimentation.
A Word From Verywell
You may still ovulate during perimenopause (the transition to menopause), though ovulation will likely be irregular from month to month. Once you reach menopause (medically defined as not having had a menstrual period for 12 months in a row), ovulation will no longer take place.Learn MoreWhat Is Ovulation?
You may still ovulate during perimenopause (the transition to menopause), though ovulation will likely be irregular from month to month. Once you reach menopause (medically defined as not having had a menstrual period for 12 months in a row), ovulation will no longer take place.
Learn MoreWhat Is Ovulation?
Learn MoreWhat Factors Influence How Long Menopause Lasts?
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