Are there tests that can be used to diagnose menopause?

We are often asked whether there are tests to diagnose menopause.

Let’s take a closer look this time.

When do women know they are in menopause?

Menopause generally begins between the ages of 40 and 60, but most commonly at the age of 51, when menstruation has been absent for more than six months.

Women are in menopause when they have not had a period for 12 months and there are no other medical reasons for the absence of periods. Women who know that they are not in menopause but still have no period should consult their doctor.

Your doctor or gynaecologist can determine whether you are going through menopause. She will ask you about your symptoms, monitor your cycle and possibly carry out some tests.

Symptoms of menopause

You may notice the first menopausal symptoms several months or even years before the actual menopause begins. This is known as perimenopause. You can find typical symptoms and a description of them at The Women Circle.

Medical examination

Before you visit your doctor, make a note of all the symptoms you have, how often they occur and how severe they are. We have created a menopause checker for you. Make a note of when you had your last period and report any irregularities in the timing. Make a list of the medication and supplements you are currently taking.

Your doctor will ask you about the date of your last period and how often you have symptoms. Don’t be afraid to mention all your symptoms, e.g. hot flushes, brain fog, mood swings or sleep disturbances.

Usually, the symptoms you describe are enough to diagnose menopause.

Are hormone levels or other blood tests helpful in recognising menopause?

Since hormone levels can fluctuate greatly in an individual woman, even from day to day, they are not a reliable indicator for diagnosing menopause. Even if the levels are low one day, they may be high the next day in the same woman. There is no blood test that can reliably predict when a woman will go through menopause or is menopausal. For this reason, blood tests for early detection of menopause do not currently have an established role, with the exception of tests that rule out medical causes of irregular periods other than menopause.

We hope that this information will help you to better understand the onset of the menopause and take practical steps to manage it.

If you need personalised advice or support on your journey through menopause, contact The Women Circle here.

In our next edition, back on Saturday 9am, we’ll be covering more aspects of menopause and women’s health. Stay informed and feel comfortable in this special phase of life.

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Joëlle & Adrian

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