Testing For Perimenopause  

In this recent article Dr Elise Dallas, Private Harley Street specialist in menopause care, offers advice on perimenopause and looks at some of the home-testing options available.

“The menopause is just one day in your life – the day that you’ve not had a period for 12 months. The average age is 51… The perimenopause is a lot more vague and refers to the years leading up to that, where your oestrogen levels will be dropping, not in a smooth controlled manner, but chaotically and unpredictably.”

How do perimenopause tests work?

Most perimenopause tests look at levels of up to four hormones – luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), oestrogen and progesterone. Urine tests and Finger prick tests are the most common method of perimenopause testing. A test result that shows high levels of FSH and low levels of oestrogen could indicate perimenopause or menopause.

However as Dr Dallas points out “In perimenopause, you won’t know where you are in the cycle and each cycle might be very different”. A consideration with this type of testing is that perimenopause is, by definition, marked by hormonal change so any test result may be subject to change. Regular testing over a period of time may be necessary to positively detect perimenopause. The perimenopause is more of a clinical diagnosis for most women and involves no tests, but a consultation and discussion with their GP around symptoms.

If you are concerned about menopause or would like to make an appointment with a perimenopause specialist then please get in touch with us here.

For more information on perimenopause and testing read the full article here.