Perimenopause, put simply, is that stage in the life of a woman that leads to menopause. During this time, the body’s production of hormones related to fertility such as estrogen begins to wane. This results in the decline of the quantity and quality of eggs produced by the ovaries. If you’re already in your perimenopausal stage and you are wondering if it’s still possible for you to get pregnant, then continue reading this article.

Here’s a quick answer: yes, it’s still possible for you to be in the family way even during perimenopausal stage. That’s because eggs are still being produced and released, but in lesser quality and quantity, just like what’s mentioned earlier. As a result, your risk of conceiving is considerably reduced, but nonetheless still likely.

During your perimenopausal stage, it’s of utmost importance for you to strive to maintain normal levels of hormones in the body as well as encourage your ovaries to manufacture healthy eggs if you want to get pregnant. Below are some of the things that you may do to significantly increase your chances of conceiving:

Quit Smoking

We all know that smoking causes all sorts of health nightmares because it floods your body with toxins. Some of those toxins can disrupt normal levels of hormones, and this can make it hard for you to get pregnant during menopause. Aside from increasing your risk of conceiving, quitting smoking may also delay the onset of menopause.

Limit Alcohol and Caffeine

Moderate consumption of alcohol and caffeine comes with various benefits. Too much, however, can wreak havoc to your health. If you are in your menopausal stage and you are planning to bear a child, consider limiting your intake of beverages with alcohol and caffeine in them to boost your likelihood of being in the family way.

Ditch Plastic Containers

Is it your habit to stash your food in plastic containers? Fertility experts say don’t because there are certain compounds in plastics that can cause hormonal imbalance if you happen to ingest them. They add that you should also steer clear of cling wraps, and also avoid buying food products being sold in plastic packaging.

Opt for All-Natural Ingredients

Speaking of packaging, make sure that you read it carefully the next time you are shopping for your favorite lotion, shampoo, makeup or any other item. Going for something that contains harmful chemicals is a complete no-no because it will only make it a lot harder for you to become pregnant during perimenopause.

Keep at Bay Excess Pounds

Maintaining a healthy weight is a good idea if you want to get pregnant despite of being in the menopausal stage. That’s because excess fat in the body can actually accelerate the reduction of estrogen. One way to drop excess pounds is by regularly exercising, although you should avoid doing it excessively as it can actually make conceiving harder.

Have Healthy Fats

Not all fats are the same — some of them are actually good for you, particularly if you are trying to get pregnant before you hit menopause. According to experts, you should include more fish, nuts and seeds in your diet as they all contain healthy fats that help your body produce the right amount of hormones.

Try Certain Supplements

Finally, there are a number of supplements out there that are said to be very beneficial for perimenopausal women who wish to conceive. Some of them include dandelion root, vitex, maca, black cohosh, dong quai and evening primrose oil. But just like when taking any other supplement, consider letting your doctor know about your plan.

If you are keen on getting pregnant during perimenopause and you are having a hard time doing so through some all-natural means, it’s a good idea for you to seek the help of a fertility specialist. He or she can give you your various options, such as in-vitro fertilization, using donor eggs and surrogacy.

Don’t forget to share this article on your various social media accounts to help your family members and friends who are already in their perimenopausal stage but still want to bear children.