QuestionHello Dr. Ramirez,
I am a 51 year old female who has never had a child. I am approximately 2 1/2 years past my last normal menstrual period and have been told by my ob/gyn that I am "in menopause." I also had a tubal ligation years ago, which I now regret. I am wondering about the possibility of an in vitro pregnancy. Is it possible for me to have a child in vitro using my own eggs? Or, is it only possible with eggs from a donor? My husband and I regret never having had any children and wonder if it is too late for us now, even though we are both in excellent health.
AnswerHello Donna from the U.S.,
Menopause is the state where the ovaries stop functioning. By functioning, it means that the ovaries no longer ovulate and cannnot be induced to ovulate. It also means that there is a lack of eggs as well. So, you would not be able to get pregnant with IVF using your own eggs. IVF requires that the ovaries respond to stimulation to recruit and mature eggs. If the ovaries won't respond, then eggs cannot be retrieved. In this case, the only option you would have is to use donor eggs. The uterus does not age, so as long as younger eggs are used a woman at any age can become pregnant. There is another problem, however, you'll have to check around with IVF clinics to see what their age limit is. Most IVF clinics will stop at 50 years old, meaning they will not allow a woman to enroll over the age of 50. This may seem arbitrary, since 50 is young in this time period, but that is where most IVF clinics draw the line.
Sorry, and good luck,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf, and follow me on Facebook at http://bit.ly/9Iw9oV
