Women born with all the eggs she will ever have. By the time a woman has reached her late 30s, her fertility is greatly reduced, mostly due to the age of her eggs. Some points to keep in mind for perimenopausal women include:

• Babies born to women who are over 45 only account for 0.1 percent of births in the United States.
• By age 45 the chances of having a miscarriage increase to about 50 percent.
• There is a greater risk of a fetal genetic abnormality in one out of 40 pregnancies.
• Complications, such as gestational diabetes, ectopic pregnancies and stillbirth are increased.
• The need for medical intervention, including a cesarean section, also rises.

Is it possible to become pregnant during perimenopause?

Even though a woman's fertility has drastically declined by her late 30s and early 40s, she can still potentially conceive until she reaches menopause. If a woman does not want to become pregnant, she may opt to use birth control or practice family planning throughout perimenopause to avoid the risk of an unwanted pregnancy.

Related Articles Menstrual Changes Hot Flashes Mood Swings Urinary Problems Insomnia and Perimenopausal Women Lower Sex Drive Heart Palpitations in Menopause

External Source The North American Menopause Society

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.