Does Testing for Menopause Really Work?

Testing for Menopause Signs
Many women opt to choose some type of testing for menopause when they believe they are beginning to experience signs and symptoms. Instead of living with the uncertainty of not being sure whether this special time in life has begun or not, you may prefer to look into testing for menopause. Some of the initial feelings that draw concern are hot flashes, mood swings, insomnia, and weight gain. There are several different types of tests that a woman can use to determine hormone levels and the start of menopause. Which are some of these tests and do they really work?

The FSH Test for Menopausetesting for menopause picture
One of the tests for menopause is the Follicle Stimulating Hormone test. It measures the levels of these follicle stimulating hormones in your body which have to do with ovulation. In the typical monthly cycle these levels rise to cause the ovaries to release egg follicles, which then travel through the fallopian tubes for possible fertilization. As this happens and the FSH levels rise, estrogen levels then drop. Estrogen levels will begin to rise again and FSH levels drop when the egg is released and the body begins to prepare for either pregnancy or menstruation.

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FSH and Menopause
Testing for menopause determines whether there are particularly high levels of FSH hormones. This can indicate that the body is trying to stimulate ovulation but is unsuccessful. The ovulation process failing is one of the first signs of menopause. The normal FSH levels range from 5 to 25 mIU/mL. If the test results show a level higher than 25 mIU/mL this could mean one is entering perimenopause. Levels above 50 mIU/mL mean that one is in full fledged high FSH level menopause.

You can find FSH testing kits at your local pharmacy and online to find out if you should be concerned about any possible sign or symptom of menopause. They can come in urine or saliva sample testing kits. The urine tests provide quick results in your own home whereas the saliva tests have to be mailed to a lab. The FDA has approved both types of tests and the results are considered to be 90% accurate. Read the test directions thoroughly. These tests should be done on specific dates related to your menstrual cycle. Usually a follow up test is recommended five to seven days after the first one.

Progesterone and Estradiol Tests
Both of these types of hormones play vital parts in reproductive functions. Low levels of progesterone and estradiol, a type of estrogen, can signal the beginning symptoms of menopause. Usually these tests are saliva based but your doctor is able to perform a blood test if needed. These blood test to determine menopause is more accurate than a saliva test. Saliva tests can only measure free moving estrogen and progesterone. Typically these hormones are stored by being bound to other receptors and only blood tests can measure these bound hormones. Saliva tests are sent to a laboratory and the results are mailed back to you. When estrogen levels drop too low this could indicate the onset of menopause.

The Importance of Testing
Testing for menopause by having your hormone levels analyzed can give you a much needed explanation of the uncomfortable symptoms you’ve been experiencing. It can also help you get ready for other changes and health issues that come along with natural aging such as osteoporosis and heart disease. Keep in mind that the FDA has approved these at-home menopause testing kits. Familiarize yourself with the types of hormones these tests analyze.

All these hormones play important roles in the reproductive system but you should select a test that will provide the type of results you’re most interested in. Another suggestion is to take these tests on a regular basis over time to get more accurate results. Abnormal hormone levels can also indicate other complications. These tests are only to provide measurements of hormone levels that could possibly indicate one is experiencing the onset signs of menopause.

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Sign and Symptom of Menopause vs. Signs of Peri Menopause?

Sign and Symptom of Menopause Age
The experience of the first possible sign and symptom of menopause usually gets a woman wondering about what’s going on in her body. When a woman reaches her late thirties, the quality and quantity of her egg supply declines. This occurrence is intertwined with an imbalance in hormone production. These changes can affect the length and blood flow of the menstrual cycle. They can also affect PMS symptoms a woman didn’t have before. The stages of peri menopause and menopause bring about many other changes and symptoms.

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Signs of Peri Menopause
Peri Menopause begins several years before menopause actually occurs. The egg supply gradually declines throughout this time and ovulation and menstruation become irregular. The average length many women experience peri menopause is about four years. Some may only experience a few months of the peri menopause stage while others endure it for ten years or more. Peri menopause ends after twelve consecutive months of no menstrual cycles when menopause then begins.

The majority of symptoms associated with these changes occur during the peri menopause stage. Fluxes in hormone levels can cause the following:

  • hot flashes
  • insomnia
  • breast tenderness
  • decreased libido
  • vaginal dryness
  • anxiety
  • fatigue
  • mood swings
  • severe PMS

A doctor can run certain tests to determine whether a woman is in the peri menopause stage. They can evaluate the severity and intensity of your symptoms to reach this conclusion. A series of blood and saliva tests can be done to determine if hormone levels indicate the onset of peri menopause. You also have the option to test the hormone levels from the privacy of your home.  In fact, saliva testing is a convenient, inexpensive, and accurate means of testing hormones.


Although ovulation occurs some months and fails to happen other times pregnancy is still a possibility. Fertility treatments may be necessary if pregnancy is desired as fertility decrease during this time. Birth control methods should continue to be used until all menstrual period have ceased for twelve months in a row.

Onset Signs of Menopause in Women
Peri menopause lasts up until menopause officially occurs when the ovaries stop producing eggs for good. In most cases, symptoms for menopause that are caused by hormonal imbalances decrease over time. This stage is known as post menopause. Many refer to this change in a women’s life to puberty in reverse. There is a similar fluctuation in hormones and yes, it will eventually end.

Many ask the question this title poses. Essentially there is no difference between what is experienced throughout the different phases of menopause. The differences lie in the intensity of the symptoms as hormone levels decrease and increase throughout the entire process. Perimenopause menopause symptoms are all inter connected and vary from woman to woman.

Sign and Symptom of Menopause
While its often a period of relief and freedom from PMS, cramps, menstrual bleeding, child-rearing, fear of pregnancy, hot flashes, night sweats, etc there are some serious health concerns that need to be addresses during the post menopause years. If a woman has taken preventive steps ahead of time from an early point these complications may be minimized and even avoided. Some conditions that arise at this point are:

  • vaginal dryness
  • urinary incontinence
  • high blood pressure
  • osteoporosis
  • urethra and bladder infections

Diet and exercise also deserve serious attention as menopause and aging in general cause the body to replace muscle with fat. Starting a healthy routine and maintaining it from an early age can reduce serious difficulties in the area of weight gain. Making sure your body is getting the required amounts of calcium starting at a young age can also help prevent joint discomfort, sprains, aches and bone mass loss in the later years. Even before one notices the first sign or symptom of menopause it should be considered important to learn about our body’s natural functions and future transitions.

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