What happens during menopause, and how long can you still get pregnant? These key insights help women make informed choices about contraception.
Fertility Declines After Your 30s
Having children in your 30s or later is common today. However, fertility naturally decreases as ovaries produce fewer eggs. At age 20, unprotected sex carries a 20-25% monthly pregnancy risk. Nearing 40, this falls to just 3-6%.
Pregnancy Risk Remains
"That doesn't mean contraception is unnecessary," explains Prof. Bart Fauser, professor of reproductive medicine and head of the Reproduction and Gynaecology department at UMC Utrecht. As long as eggs are produced—even in smaller numbers—pregnancy is possible. Use protection until menopause if avoiding conception.
Navigating the Transition
Perimenopause transitions your body from regular cycles to none over an average of 3-5 years. Pregnancy remains theoretically possible, though chances dwindle.
When Does It Start?
Timing varies: some women enter around 40, others near 60. Menopause typically occurs at age 51 on average.
Confirming Menopause
Reliable tests to assess fertility risk would be ideal. Current FSH urine tests measure Follicle Stimulating Hormone; elevated levels may indicate onset, but negatives aren't conclusive. They're not reliable for stopping contraception. More accurate options may arrive within 10 years.
