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How To Conceive After The Age Of 40?
Question: I am a woman who turned 40 in August 2013 and either missed a period in November or had a very late period in December (I am celibate and did not keep a diary of my periods at the time). In November I was certainly dehydrated. I get dehydrated because in recent years I have experienced the many benefits of drinking 1.5+ litres of water a day. In an effort to make myself drink water, I don't drink any other drinks but I have no thirst, so forget to drink water and am not usually disciplined enough to make myself drink. I am very obese (271 pounds) and have recently been diagnosed with pre-diabetes - I am cutting right down on sugar and getting healthier (maintaining yoga each week too). I got dehydrated again over the last couple of weeks and since last weekend have been ensuring that I drink 2 litres of water a day (although I missed this yesterday).
My period was due around last weekend and I am now on day 32 of my cycle with no menstruation. I spoke to one of the doctors at my surgery (in the UK) who said that my cycle will likely change now as I head towards the menopause ( I was horrified!). Another doctor at my surgery said she would need to see what my thyroid is doing - I also have Graves' disease but I am euthyroid now and am on Carbimazole (on this for around 10 years). The doctor I spoke to yesterday, also from my surgery, said that I am a little young to be experiencing changes that have any relation to menopause and that other things can cause it.
I had a late period in my 20s that was due to worry that I was pregnant, but otherwise my periods have always been between 21 and 28 days. I am so upset that this could be a change prior to menopause, but then I have other factors: very obese, pre-diabetes, dehydration etc. I am aware that fertility drops after 35 but I have also read just how much lifestyle can affect all this and have experienced my own periods becoming heavier once I drank 1.5+ litres of water a day.
I have not met Mr Right and am working on the basis that exercise, yoga, hydration and good nutrition might give me a good chance of conceiving as any in the next few years.
Any advice and words of comfort would be appreciated!
Thank you.
XXXXXXX
My period was due around last weekend and I am now on day 32 of my cycle with no menstruation. I spoke to one of the doctors at my surgery (in the UK) who said that my cycle will likely change now as I head towards the menopause ( I was horrified!). Another doctor at my surgery said she would need to see what my thyroid is doing - I also have Graves' disease but I am euthyroid now and am on Carbimazole (on this for around 10 years). The doctor I spoke to yesterday, also from my surgery, said that I am a little young to be experiencing changes that have any relation to menopause and that other things can cause it.
I had a late period in my 20s that was due to worry that I was pregnant, but otherwise my periods have always been between 21 and 28 days. I am so upset that this could be a change prior to menopause, but then I have other factors: very obese, pre-diabetes, dehydration etc. I am aware that fertility drops after 35 but I have also read just how much lifestyle can affect all this and have experienced my own periods becoming heavier once I drank 1.5+ litres of water a day.
I have not met Mr Right and am working on the basis that exercise, yoga, hydration and good nutrition might give me a good chance of conceiving as any in the next few years.
Any advice and words of comfort would be appreciated!
Thank you.
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Thank you for using HCM, I will do my best to help
Detailed Answer:
you are on the right track, that with proper wight loss, nutrition, and exercise you still can conceive. however, you need to remember that fertility drops for all women after the age of 40, and that with your added health issues it may not be easy. this does NOT mean that you can't get pregnant, just that getting pregnant won't necessarily be as easy. this makes it even more important to get all of your other issues under control with proper weight loss, nutrition, and exercise. staying hydrated as you say is also beneficial for many reasons.
it is not uncommon for your periods to change, especially since this sounds like it is only a one time event that it was late this time. there are numerous reasons that could explain it, but many wen may occasionally have a late period even if they are usually very regular. temporary hormonal fluctuations due to stress, illness, or change in lifestyle may explain why your period is late. if it settles back into a normal pattern, you need not be worried. if this problem persists, you can ask your doctor to check hormone levels for thyroid, early menopause, or other things. but for now I don't see why you should be worried.
just keep up the good work, get yourself into a better state of health, and you should be fine. please let me know if you have any more questions.
Thank you for using HCM, I will do my best to help
Detailed Answer:
you are on the right track, that with proper wight loss, nutrition, and exercise you still can conceive. however, you need to remember that fertility drops for all women after the age of 40, and that with your added health issues it may not be easy. this does NOT mean that you can't get pregnant, just that getting pregnant won't necessarily be as easy. this makes it even more important to get all of your other issues under control with proper weight loss, nutrition, and exercise. staying hydrated as you say is also beneficial for many reasons.
it is not uncommon for your periods to change, especially since this sounds like it is only a one time event that it was late this time. there are numerous reasons that could explain it, but many wen may occasionally have a late period even if they are usually very regular. temporary hormonal fluctuations due to stress, illness, or change in lifestyle may explain why your period is late. if it settles back into a normal pattern, you need not be worried. if this problem persists, you can ask your doctor to check hormone levels for thyroid, early menopause, or other things. but for now I don't see why you should be worried.
just keep up the good work, get yourself into a better state of health, and you should be fine. please let me know if you have any more questions.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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