[Fran]

Hi everyone – on Friday 17th October at 11am, I will be here for our power hour and on hand to answer any questions that you have about menopause, perimenopause, hormones, reproductive health and trying to conceive! Please have your questions ready to add into this forum and I will answer them live from 11am on Friday!
Speak soon,
Fran!

[Fran]

Hi everyone! Our Menopause Matters power hour is now live! Please feel free to post your questions here and I will answer them and provide advice and support!

Thanks,
Fran

[Fran]

We have a question that has been submitted online to kick us off – i will add it here and then provide a reply 🙂

Is it still possible to conceive naturally during perimenopause?

[Fran]

Yes – absolutely! If you are still having periods, there is still a chance of ovulation and pregnancy, but the chances are lower.

[Fran]

We have another question that has come in.

I think i might be in peri-menopause. I am 41 but we are still trying for a family. What are the signs and symptoms please?

[Fran]

Good question – signs and symptoms include irregular periods, mood changes, hot flushes, and sleep problems. A blood test via your GP should help determine if you are in peri-menopause. When trying to conceive, changes to your cycle when in peri-menopause can make ovulation less predictable and may not occur every month so that may reduce the chances of getting pregnant on a natural cycle.

[Fran]

Keep the questions coming 🙂

We have another question that has been submitted.

I have been diagnosed with POI – should i freeze my eggs?

[Fran]

Okay – POI (premature ovarian insufficiency) may mean that it might be trickier for you to conceive – dependant on symptoms and stages.

It may be possible to freeze your eggs if you have POI, but it depends on whether your ovaries are still producing eggs, so acting quickly is important. Your egg reserve may already be low and ovulation is unpredictable, so you may need fertility medication and possibly more than one cycle, and success rates are lower than in women without POI.

A fertility specialist/clinic will check your hormone levels and follicle count to see if egg freezing is a viable option for you. If there aren’t enough eggs to freeze, options like embryo freezing or donor eggs may also be discussed.

[Fran]

Also – I am not sure if you are aware of them but the Daisy network are a great resource for further info and support around POI.

Home

[Fran]

Another question – Can i get pregnant if i am taking HRT?

[Fran]

It is still possible to get pregnant while taking HRT, but HRT itself does not help you conceive.

Most types of HRT prevent ovulation, which means you are less likely to release an egg. However, HRT is not a contraceptive, so pregnancy can still occur if ovulation happens. If you are trying to get pregnant, HRT may need to be stopped or adjusted.

So you could get pregnant but its less likely so if you are trying to conceive or wanting to prevent a pregnancy – then you may need to think about stopping HRT or looking at contraception. hope that helps?

[Fran]

A question from our socials page –

What age does the menopause start?

[Fran]

Good question!

Menopause usually starts between 45 and 55 years old, with the average age being around 51.

It is officially diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a period. Some women may experience it earlier (called early menopause, before 45) or later, but these are less common.

[Fran]

Another question from our socials.

I am apprehensive about taking HRT – are there any natural remedies or anything i can do to help menopausal symptoms without needing to take HRT?

[Fran]

You would need to speak to your doctor/nurse initially as they will have looked at your blood results and symptoms etc. but you can manage menopausal symptoms without HRT through lifestyle changes like regular exercise, a healthy diet, good sleep, staying cool, and supporting wellbeing.

Some women find phytoestrogens (soy, flaxseed) or herbal supplements helpful, though evidence is mixed.
You might also be able to look at things like the mirena coil dependant on your symptoms and history – so its best to speak to your doctor or nurse to decide what the best approach for you is.

Hope that helps

[Fran]

Thanks for all of the questions! Thats all we have time for today – but please feel free to post your questions to us in the community forum and check out our information hub for resources on reproductive health and beyond.

Take care all,

Fran x

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