ask: Can a 45 year old woman be pregnant ten years after husband had vasectomy?

Jane,

You're right. It seems extremely uncommon to have such definite symptoms when you are used to being regular and not experiencing them to this extreme.

It's very unlikely that your'e pregnant, for two reasons: One, of course, being your husband's vasectomy, and the second being your age -- even if you were trying to get pregnant, it would be difficult at 45. There are documented instances of women becoming pregnant after their husbands had vasectomies, but it was usually much sooner after the vasectomy. One doctor's website says that "spontaneous reversal" happens in less than one percent of the cases, and when it does, sperm count tends to be very low.

It's been two days since you wrote; are you still late for your period? Are you still having these symptoms?

It could, yes, be perimenopause. Perimenopause is different for each woman; some have slow, slightly progressing symptoms for 10 years before menopause, and others might have many symptoms come on almost at once. The thing they all have in common is that hormones are at play, and your hormone levels dictate everything about your cycle. When they start to change, periods become more irregular, PMS symptoms can change (for the better OR the worse), and symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia, mood changes and night sweats become more and more common.

Have you experienced any of these other symptoms?

Hi and Thank you for your response. This is Jane and I still have not gotten my period.I am still having symptoms that I am going to get it any minute, and have almost all the PMS symptoms that go along with premenstrual. I haven't really have had night sweats, but have experienced insomnia. I just feel so uncomfortable. I hope My period will start soon to relieve some of my symptoms. I did do a pregnancy test , even though it is unlikely that I am pregnant, and of course the product was defective so I got no results , not even a line that states the test was done accurately. I guess I just have to be patient. Again thank you for your time and response.

Hi Jane

Thanks for your update. I'm sorry the test was defective, that's a pain. If you don't get your period by the end of the weekend, you might want to retest although (like you and Diane said) it's highly unlikely that you're pregnant - that would be an incredibly rare circumstance, based on both you and your husband's circumstances.

Keep us posted and I'm sorry you are feeling so uncomfortable. I hope it passes as soon as you get your period.

Hi Thanks for your response. I finally did start my period. I started today which is day 40 of my cycle, which is highly unusual for me. It must be hormonal or perimenopause. I don't think I will like the unusual schedule that goes along with it. I have been so used to a regular cycle that it really through me for a loop. I appreciate all your support.
Jane

Jane

Thanks so much for the update! It may indeed be perimenopause since you're pretty much right there, age wise.

I hope this is wonderful news for you (although I wouldn't be surprised if you had a moment of disappointment too) and that the worry is over. Take care and do stop back at Empowher to see what we're up to and to keep yourself updated on women's healthcare and everything else we offer :)

Hi, my name is Carrie and I too have had the same symptoms as Jane has. I did not get my period last month. I did take a pregnancy test which was negative. My husband has also had a vasectomy 13 years ago. I am 49 years old so I am guessing I am starting premenapause. I feel as if I can start my period at any time with feeling cramping, bloating and having headaches. I already take Prozac 20mg daily, which I hope will help alleviate some of the premenaoause symptoms. Any other ideas for helping me like certain vitamens? Thanks Carrie

Hi Carrie

Thanks for your post! It does sound like perimenpause or menopause has come knocking - there are some ways you can relieve symptoms:

A healthful diet during menopause can improve a woman's sense of well-being. It may also reduce the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and certain cancers. The diet should be low in fat and high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, calcium, and vitamin D.

Limit Caffeine and Alcohol
Cutting back on caffeine and alcohol may reduce symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and loss of calcium.

Quit Smoking
Giving up smoking can reduce the risk of early menopause, heart disease, and osteoporosis.

Regular Exercise
Regular exercise may reduce hot flashes. Weight-bearing exercises such as walking, climbing stairs, and resistance exercises such as lifting weights help strengthen bones and decrease the risk of osteoporosis.

Stress Management
Stress management may help ease tension, anxiety, and possibly other menopausal symptoms. Deep breathing, massage, warm baths, and quiet music are examples of relaxation techniques.

Over-the-Counter Products
Moisturizers and lubricants are used to help vaginal dryness.

Nonhormonal Medications
Certain blood pressure medicines taken in lower doses than are used to treat high blood pressure have been somewhat helpful in relieving some menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. These medicines include clonidine (Catapres) and methyldopa (Aldomet).

SSRI medications (serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Prozac , Paxil , and Effexor ) have been shown to have modest impact on hot flash severity scores. These medications should not be used if you are taking tamoxifen to reduce your risk of breast cancer recurrence.

Prevention
Menopause is a natural biologic event that does not need to be prevented. Quitting smoking could slightly delay the onset of menopause.

Visit our Menopause page here! http://www.empowher.com/media/reference/menopause#definition

In terms of vitamins, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has some great information for you - you can find it here : http://nccam.nih.gov/health/menopause/

Some women swear by black cohosh - you can read more on this here : http://www.empowher.com/community/ask/does-anyone-use-black-cohosh-night...

Before taking any vitamins or supplements, make sure you talk to you doctor first, especially when taking medications like Prozac - just to make sure one does not interfere with the other.

Does this information help you?

Just wanted to share that I am 41 and thought I too was perimenopausal- My husband had a vasectomy 12 years ago and did all three post-tests to ensure everything was safe. I took a pregnancy test after not getting my period for three months- and it came back positive. However, because of the vasectomy, I began googling reasons for false postives. The primary reason was cancer. I went to the doctor with this information after my self diagnosis. She examined me and informed me that I was at least 12 weeks pregnant. Apparently there is a 1 in 4000 chance for it to occur so late after a vasectomy. It ended up being our third child and first boy. He is loved and treasured by his big sisters and parents- I now have a tubal ligation. However, the delivery nurse told me she assisted a couple who had both a tubal ligation and vasectomy....so nothing is 100%.

HI my name is cindy and i am 45 and my boyfriend is 43 and we are trying to have a baby for all most 2year and i am not geting pregnant.can hepl me out to know why it not happending....