It was not so long ago that I was young and definitely not so long ago when I had my kids. So why is it that doctors are considering me for premature menopause? This is especially unnerving as we are now looking into in vitro fertilisation and such news and not good news! After 1 failed IVF cycle and detailed phone/face conversations with my doctor, it is becoming more and more clear to me (something I would not have accepted before) that age (for us, at least) has been the major factor in our failure to conceive so far.
Age is critical when it comes to tackling infertility. If someone is already having issues getting pregnant naturally, then age is one of the first reasons one needs to address. Every girl is born with a set number of eggs – some hundred of thousands number of them. However it is incorrect to assume that only 1 egg is used up during every cycle. Ovulation is the release of 1 mature egg during your cycle. In every cycle, there are hundreds of eggs which are ‘wasted’ as they are not mature enough. So when we calculate or measure ovarian reserve, we are actually talking about the number of eggs left in the ovaries. However, as a woman ages or gets closer to menopause (by definition – the last menstrual bleed), this ovarian reserve may not contain good quality eggs as age may have an impact on the eggs. Also, in some instances, women may experience premature menopause – normal menopause is between 50-55 years and anything sooner than that may be referred to as premature. This may present itself as irregular or no bleeding (amenorrhoea) when normal menstrual cycles are expected.
If you think you are experiencing menopause symptoms, then have a look at this new website for menopause community and understand how you can get a handle on your life. Good luck!
