Is pregnancy possible after menopause?

Once a woman has completed menopause, she can no longer get pregnant, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. However, a woman can get pregnant if she is still having periods during the beginning phases of menopause, even if those periods are irregular.

After one full year without a period, pregnancy is no longer a possibility, according to the National Institute on Aging. The average age for a woman to experience menopause in the United States is 51, but menopause can start as early as age 40 or as late as age 55 for some women.

Signs of menopause include hot flashes, period changes, sleep disturbances and mood changes, says the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.