Gynaecologist says irregular periods don’t equal menopause: ‘Pregnancy can still happen during peri menopause’
Gynaecologist Dr Sugandhi Unnikrishnan recently clarified that, contrary to popular belief, fertility doesn’t stop overnight. “Irregular periods don’t equal menopause. Fertility does not stop overnight. Pregnancy can still happen during peri menopause. Test first. Assume later,” she noted on Instagram.
To verify, we reached out to Dr Richa Bharadwaj, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, who said that irregular cycles alone do not signal menopause. “Menopause is confirmed only after 12 continuous months without a period. Before that stage, many women enter perimenopause, where hormones change and periods may arrive early, late, lighter, or heavier. Ovulation can still occur during this phase, even if cycles feel unpredictable,” said Dr Bharadwaj.
Pregnancy is still possible as fertility does decline with age, but it does not stop suddenly. “Many women assume missed periods mean the end of fertility and skip protection, which can lead to unplanned pregnancies. Ovulation can happen unexpectedly, making pregnancy a real possibility,” said Dr Bharadwaj.
What other reasons can cause irregular or missed periods?
While menopause is one reason for irregular periods, there are many other possible causes, especially in younger women. Hormonal imbalance is one of the most common reasons. Stress, sudden weight gain or loss, lack of sleep, and intense exercise can disrupt hormone levels and affect the menstrual cycle, said Dr Swati Ajit Gaikwad, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospital, Kharadi, Pune.
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