Yes, it is possible to stop ovulating at 42, but for most women, ovulation still occurs, albeit less regularly, as part of the perimenopause transition.
“It is unlikely as the ovulation is [less regular] and the quality of the egg [reduces],” explains Dr. Twogood, “but it is still possible.” Once you've gone through menopause (which most commonly happens between the ages of 45 and 55), you will stop ovulating.
It may happen earlier in some women than in others. For example, in some women it may start early, such as before age 40, or between ages 40 and 45. Certain factors may make it more likely for perimenopause to start at an earlier age, such as: Smoking.
Symptoms of ovulation during perimenopause
As a woman ages, the quality of her eggs declines too. And while a couple aged 30 having unprotected sex tends to have around a 20% chance of conceiving each month, by the time a woman is 40 that figure has dropped to 5%.
After this age, egg quality slowly deteriorates until around age 37, and then deteriorates more rapidly until about age 42. After roughly age 42, fertility for most women basically falls off a cliff. While some women in their mid-40s will achieve a pregnancy, many more will be disappointed.
“Approximately 15% of pregnancies occur in women over 35,” he says. “After 40, it's even less common, with a rate of less than 3%, although that's increasing as more women delay marriage and kids, have second marriages and, of course, undergo fertility treatment. “
Perimenopause, the transition to menopause, is often broken down into four overlapping stages focusing on menstrual cycle changes: the Late Reproductive Stage (slight cycle variations), Early Perimenopause (cycles vary by 7+ days), Late Perimenopause (cycles 60+ days apart, skipping periods), and finally, Menopause (12 months without a period), marking the end of perimenopause's hormonal fluctuations. Symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and brain fog can appear in any stage, though they often intensify in later stages as hormone drops become more significant, especially progesterone.
Natural cessation of ovarian function and menstruation. It can occur between the ages of 42 and 56 but usually occurs around the age of 51, when the ovaries stop producing eggs and estrogen levels decline.
Fact: You can still ovulate during perimenopause, sometimes more than once in a cycle. “Menopause is defined as 12 full months without a period,” explains Marino. “But in perimenopause, ovulation still occurs, it's just unpredictable.
The Takeaway. For women, body changes at 40 originate from fluctuating hormone levels, and may include weight gain, muscle loss, dry skin, thinning hair, sleep issues, and brain fog. Changing hormones can also cause decreased libido, vaginal dryness, mood swings, hot flashes, and irregular periods.
We recommend chelated magnesium, such as magnesium glycinate. It's well known that good vitamin D status is critical for bone health, which becomes critical in perimenopause and menopause. However, vitamin D is also involved in immunity, blood sugar regulation, and genetic expression.
Here are some ways to naturally balance your hormones.
More women and birthing people than ever are getting pregnant in their 40s. Most people over 40 who get pregnant have healthy pregnancies and babies. However, it can take longer to get pregnant and some people have complications. If you're older than 35, you're more likely to conceive more than 1 baby.
Four common signs of ovulation are changes in cervical mucus (becoming clear, stretchy, like egg whites), mild lower abdominal pain or cramping (mittelschmerz), a slight increase in basal body temperature, and an increased libido or sex drive, though not everyone experiences all these signs. Other indicators can include breast tenderness, bloating, light spotting, or mood changes, as hormonal shifts prepare the body for a potential pregnancy.
Myth: It's possible to have a perimenopause fertility surge.
Fact: There is no evidence that this exists. Remember, most women are not able to conceive by the time they reach their mid-40s. While there is a small chance of pregnancy during perimenopause (less than 5% per menstrual cycle), there's no surge.
The first signs of perimenopause often involve changes to your menstrual cycle, such as irregular periods (longer, shorter, heavier, lighter, or missed periods), alongside common symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, mood swings (anxiety/irritability), and vaginal dryness, all due to fluctuating estrogen levels. Other early signs can include forgetfulness, brain fog, changes in libido, headaches, sore breasts, or increased joint/muscle pain.
The main symptom of infertility is the inability to get pregnant. A menstrual cycle that's too long (35 days or more), too short (less than 21 days), irregular or absent can mean that you're not ovulating. There might be no other signs or symptoms.
Jennifer Aniston underwent IVF treatments throughout her late 30s and 40s, a challenging period where she tried everything to conceive, eventually continuing into her early 50s, ultimately deciding to share her private fertility struggle years later in an interview with Allure.
Is there a test for perimenopause? Blood tests are not usually helpful in working out if you're going through perimenopause. Your doctor can diagnose you by the symptoms you're experiencing, such as irregular periods, hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia, muscle and joint pain, mood changes and vaginal dryness.
Hormonal imbalances show up as symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, weight changes, irregular periods, skin issues (acne), hair changes, sleep problems, brain fog, low libido, digestive issues, and temperature sensitivity, affecting energy, body functions, and mental well-being, often linked to stress, thyroid, or reproductive hormones.
A flash period is your body getting off kilter
“Perimenopause is the Wild West for periods,” Minkin explained. “You could go months without one and suddenly bleed.” And you may not have any bloating, mood swings or cramping as warning signs because your body may not go through a full cycle.
A 35-year-old woman has about a one in 350 chance of conceiving a child with Down syndrome, and this chance increases gradually to 1 in 100 by age 40. At age 45 the incidence becomes approximately 1 in 30.
A woman in her early to mid-20s has a 25–30% chance of getting pregnant every month. Fertility generally starts to slowly decline when a woman is in her early 30s, and after the age of 35 the decline speeds up. By age 40, the chance of getting pregnant in any monthly cycle is around 5%.
Do you still ovulate during perimenopause? If you're still getting a period, even an irregular one, you're still ovulating. Until you haven't menstruated for 12 consecutive months, you should assume your body is still ovulating.