Menopause and fertility treatment options

Menopause is a natural phase in all women’s lives. We typically enter menopause during our late 40s or early 50s, and it is confirmed if we have not menstruated for 12 consecutive months (unless this is resulting from a medical issue or a pregnancy). The age at which menopause occurs is believed to be influenced by our genetics. However, factors like smoking or undergoing chemotherapy can speed up our ovarian decline, and ultimately lead to an earlier onset of menopause.

Perimenopause is the phase just before menopause begins: it often begins in our mid-40s, and it can last anywhere from a few months to a few years. During this phase, our menstrual cycle may become irregular, and we might experience some typical menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes. The transition to menopause is then marked by some hormonal changes in our bodies, namely a reduced production of estrogen and progesterone by our ovaries, which further contribute to us experiencing weight changes, vaginal dryness, etc.

Since menopause is caused by much lower levels of estrogen and progesterone, this means that we are also going to experience a loss of active ovarian follicles, which, as we know, are responsible for producing and releasing our eggs during ovulation. Menopause itself cannot be “treated” or “reversed” since it’s an imminent natural process in our bodies, but at the same time we can outsmart it with some modern fertility treatments.

In theory, we could get pregnant naturally during the perimenopausal phase, but the hormonal fluctuations we experience during that period make it very challenging for us to achieve pregnancy by ourselves. Not only that but ovulation is not guaranteed to happen every single month. We must also remember that as the quantity of our eggs decreases with age, so does their quality. This is the primary reason for the decline in our fertility as we age.

Once we’ve entered menopause, we no longer ovulate, so the only way for us to conceive is through IVF with donated eggs or embryo adoption. Even if we’re still in the perimenopausal stage, undergoing IVF with donated eggs might be the better option for us, if we want the embryos to be healthy. If, for some reason, we want to give IVF with our own eggs a try, then it is very important that we undergo preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) to make sure that the embryos have the correct number of chromosomes.

In the realm of fertility treatments, IVF with donated eggs boasts the highest success rates. At Reproclinic, our strict donor selection process allows us to achieve success rates of up to 95%, giving you the best chance at creating the family you've always dreamed of! Additionally, you're guaranteed a backup donor, and we offer guarantees of up to 5 blastocysts.

For what concerns embryo adoption, the treatment has many advantages for its recipients: the process is overall simpler and faster as there is no need for prior hormonal stimulation, the anonymity of the donors is, once again, completely guaranteed, and the total cost is relatively lower in comparison to traditional treatments.

Our mission has always been to meet the medical care needs of our patients and to facilitate their path towards motherhood, which is why our current price of IVF with egg donation includes a package of services worth €1500, for FREE: fertility diagnosis, standard lab tests at Reproclinic, ICSI, and extended embryo culture. If you choose a Blastocyst Guarantee, you may also qualify for a voucher worth up to €300, courtesy of IFA.

If you’re interested in growing your family through embryo adoption instead, we’re happy to let you know that the price for this treatment now includes a package of services worth €555, for FREE: fertility diagnosis, standard lab tests at Reproclinic, as well as a voucher for €200, courtesy of IFA.

Don’t postpone your dreams: these promotions are only available if you make the initial payment for your treatment at Reproclinic until the end of November 2023.

We’re here to provide you with all the information you need to make your final decision. If you suspect that you are experiencing early menopause, but still wish to become a mother, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. We will perform various tests to determine whether you are indeed in the early stages of menopause, and we will also recommend the most suitable treatment options for your specific circumstances.