Is it possible to ovulate in perimenopause ?

[erilou38]

I'm 38 and have been trying to conceive for 16 months with no luck. My doctor thinks that i might be in perimenopause. My periods haven't been regular for the past 2 years and the bleeding is shorter and lighter. I have ovarian cysts that could also cause this as well as perimenopause. The thing is i have had several blood tests this past year as part of my fertility workup and my progesterone level has shown that i haven't been ovulating (releasing an egg). However, this week i had another test on day 28 of my cycle and to my surprise it revealed that i have ovulated and my progesterone was at a good level. Obviously i have ovulated late in my cycle as the average time to ovulate is aroung the 14th day of the cycle. I thought that menopausal women didn't ovulate as they don't have any eggs left in the ovaries. I have been having menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness and hot flashes but i have been very stressed which i have heard can cause this. Surely a true perimenopausal woman wouldn't ovulate would she ?

Oh yes!
Thats how I arrived in the world.

There's hope for me yet then! Here's hoping for a 'change' baby!

A perimenopausal woman definitely can ovulate - that is why you mustn't abandon other contraception until you have been 2 years period-free if under 50 and 1 year if over 50.

Hello OP

I conceived dd when I had started the menopause. In fact the week after my gp told me I fell pg. There is 9 years between dd and her next sibling and I was 37.
So yes it is possible and a well known fact that women are often caught on the menopause.
I haven't told you to be smug my love, but to give you hope.
Good luck. x

Yep, I've had two babies since being diagnosed as perimenopausal, albeit with the help of a bit if clomid! My fertility specialist was a bit surprised at my 'luck', but clearly there's quite a big difference between perimenopause and true menopause.