Every October 18th marks World Menopause Day, a date promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Menopause Society to raise awareness about a natural, yet often overlooked stage in women’s lives.
Throughout history, menopause has been seen as the end of a cycle, the onset of aging, or the final point of fertility. But what lies beyond those myths? How do women experience this process today, when scientific advances allow us to rewrite many of the narratives that were once taken as absolute truths?
At Ingenes, with 20 years of experience helping people have a baby, we know that menopause doesn’t have to mean the end of your dreams. In this article, we explain what menopause really is, how it influences fertility, and, most importantly, what real alternatives exist if you still want to become a mom after 40.
What is menopause?
Menopause refers to the moment when a woman permanently stops menstruating. It is considered menopause when 12 consecutive months have passed without menstruation, without any other medical cause.
Key statistics:
- The average age of menopause is between 45 and 55 years old.
- If it occurs before age 40, it’s considered premature menopause.
- It’s estimated that 1 in 100 women under 40 will experience early menopause.
Why does it happen?
Menopause is related to the natural decline in ovarian function. That is, the ovaries stop producing hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, and they stop releasing eggs.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms vary greatly from woman to woman, but some of the most common include:
- Changes in menstrual cycle frequency and duration
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Insomnia
- Mood swings or irritability
- Decreased sex drive
- Vaginal dryness
- Loss of bone density
- Weight gain or metabolic changes
Although these symptoms can be bothersome, it’s important to understand that menopause is not a disease, but a natural biological process. However, it does have significant implications for reproductive health.
How does menopause affect fertility?
During the years leading up to menopause—a stage known as perimenopause—hormone levels begin to fluctuate and ovarian reserve declines.
This means:
- Cycles become less predictable
- Egg quality and quantity decrease
- Natural pregnancy chances are reduced
Once menopause is established, ovulation stops completely, making pregnancy impossible without medical intervention.
Can I still have a baby if I’m already in menopause?
Yes. Thanks to advances in assisted reproduction, having a baby after menopause is possible. There are different options available depending on your health status and medical history.
Fertility options after menopause
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) with donor eggs This is the most commonly used option for women who no longer ovulate. It involves fertilizing a donor egg with your partner’s (or a donor’s) sperm, and then transferring the embryo to your uterus.
Uterine receptivity can be maintained with proper hormonal preparation, even several years after menopause.
Advantages:
- High success rate
- You can carry the baby yourself
- Controlled and safe pregnancy with medical supervision
- Use of previously preserved eggs or embryos If you preserved your eggs or embryos before entering menopause, you can use them in an IVF cycle. This is one key reason why many women choose to preserve their fertility in their 30s, especially if they know they will delay motherhood.
- Innovative techniques like IVF MORE® At Ingenes, we’ve developed IVF MORE®, a unique ovarian restoration technique that combines cytoplasmic transfer, magnetic field stimulation, and regenerative medicine.
Although not applicable in cases where ovarian function has completely ceased, it may be an option for women in perimenopause or with very low ovarian reserve before full menopause sets in.
What are the risks or considerations?
Getting pregnant after 40 or after menopause can involve certain risks, such as:
- Higher chance of gestational hypertension or diabetes
- Risk of premature birth
- Increased likelihood of cesarean section
That’s why, at Ingenes, we perform a thorough medical evaluation before starting any treatment. Our approach is comprehensive and personalized: we care for you, your body, and your desire to have a baby.
Menopause and emotions: What happens when the biological clock and desire don’t align?
For many women, the onset of menopause is a time of reflection. Some experience it as a liberation, while others see it as a silent loss—especially when they haven’t yet had children.
It’s common to feel sadness, frustration, or even anger. But it’s important to know that you are not alone—and today, more than ever, there are paths forward.
At Ingenes, we understand the emotional component of infertility. That’s why our programs include psychological support and guidance at every stage.
When should I visit a fertility institute?
If you’ve already been diagnosed with menopause or are in the perimenopausal stage and still want to become a mom, now is the right time to seek help.
The first consultation at Ingenes includes:
- Review of your clinical and reproductive history
- Evaluation of your hormonal health
- Ultrasound to assess the condition of your uterus
- Development of a diagnostic plan and possible next steps
It doesn’t matter your age, your diagnosis, or how many times you’ve been told “it’s no longer possible.” In our 20-year history, we’ve supported women over 45—even 50—who now hold their baby in their arms.
Menopause doesn’t erase your dream World Menopause
Day is an invitation to break down prejudices, speak freely, and make informed decisions about your health and your future.
If you still dream of becoming a mom and are navigating menopause, you are not out of time. You just need the right support.
At Ingenes, we’ve spent 20 years helping people have their baby—even in the most complex scenarios. Because to us, every story is unique, and every dream deserves to be heard.