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Testing for Menopause?

Testing for Menopause?

Date : 04-12-2003 - 03:23 PM - Readers : 5588

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Is there some kind of a test to tell for sure if I'm in menopause? It really gets confusing!

There is a test to confirm menopause. While a woman who has had her ovaries removed knows exactly when menopause occurred, natural menopause is confirmed when a woman hasn't had a period in 12 months.

There is a test called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test. A FSH test measures the level of follicle-stimulating hormone in the blood. Follicle-stimulating hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and controls the ripening of eggs in the ovaries, leading to ovulation. FSH levels rise when the eggs left in a woman's body lose their ability to function and the brain senses they need more hormone to become fertilized.

If FSH levels are raised, it is a sign of the erratic ability of the ovaries to produce estrogen. An FSH level greater than 10 to 12 is a sign of the beginning of ovarian failure. This is called perimenopause. Be aware, however, that during perimenopause, blood levels of FSH go up and down from month to month and may not be a reliable indicator of menopause status. FSH levels can be misleading if a woman is taking oral contraceptives, too, unless the test is taken at the end of the pill-free week.

FSH levels greater than 40 indicate a woman is menopausal and that her body is no longer producing estrogen. Remember, though: the test doesn't mean that menopause has occured. The other symptoms must be taken into account too!

There is also a blood estrogen test. Sometimes a doctor will measure the blood level of estradiol, estrone and estriol which are the main estrogen made in the body. Low levels can indicate menopause.

Saliva tests can measure the three estrogens plus progesterone and testosterone levels and have been shown to be more reliable than the blood tests.

The entire picture can be seen with your symptoms along with a saliva test or other hormone levels testing.

This content was written by staff of HysterSisters.com by non-medical professionals based on discussions, resources and input from other patients for the purpose of patient-to-patient support.

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