Last Updated on June 28, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
Menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years and signifies the cessation of ovulation and menstrual cycles. As a result, the ability to conceive naturally and carry a pregnancy to term significantly diminishes during and after menopause. In this article, we will discuss whether IVF causes early menopause.
What is early menopause?
Early menopause refers to the onset of menopause before the age of 40. It is also known as premature menopause. Menopause is a natural biological process that occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop producing eggs and lead to the cessation of a woman’s menstrual cycles This typically happens between the ages of 45 and 55.
In early menopause, the hormonal changes and symptoms associated with menopause occur at a younger age than normal. Early menopause can occur due to various causes, such as genetic factors, autoimmune disorders, medical treatments, surgical interventions, lifestyle factors, etc.
Can IVF result in early menopause?
Maybe. A significant correlation is seen between IVF treatment, urogenital symptoms in menopause, and the age of onset of menopause. Research states that women who do not respond well to the medication used in IVF treatment, which helps produce more eggs, and as a result have fewer eggs retrieved, may have a lower supply of eggs in their ovaries. This can increase their chances of going through menopause earlier than women who respond better to the treatment and have a normal egg supply.
Some women who undergo IVF may experience premature ovarian failure (POF). It is the loss of ovarian function before the age of 40. POF can occur naturally, or due to certain medical conditions, such as autoimmune diseases or genetic disorders.
Additionally, certain factors associated with IVF treatment can potentially impact a woman’s ovarian reserve and indirectly influence the timing of menopause. However, there are various reproductive centres which state that there is IVF doesn’t cause menopause. Therefore, we need further research for conclusive evidence.
Additionally, it is crucial to highlight that the age at which a woman undergoes IVF can also affect the perception of early menopause. If a woman undergoes IVF at an older age, closer to the natural onset of menopause, it may give the impression that IVF caused early menopause. However, it is simply coinciding with the natural progression of ovarian function in such cases. Generally, most women with poor ovarian reserve undergo IVF to have a child.
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