What is menopause testing?

The changes that occur around menopause vary from person to person in terms of the time of onset, its effect on the body and the duration.. On the other hand, the cessation of menstruation can occur for various reasons and may not be related to menopause.. For this reason, it is necessary to confirm your menopause with a doctor.

Knowing whether or not you are approaching menopause can help you make a number of decisions, such as whether to stop using birth control.

Generally, the diagnosis of menopause is done by testing and physical examination:

Read more: What is menopause?... Initial symptoms and treatment of menopause in women

1... Menopause detection by physical examination

Before seeing your doctor, write down the symptoms you're experiencing and their frequency and severity....note when you had your last period and note the occurrence of any irregularities....also make a list of the medications and supplements you're currently taking.

Your doctor will ask you about the date of your last period and how often you have menopausal symptoms... Try to report any symptoms you experience, including hot flashes, spotting, mood swings, sleep problems, or sexual problems... Usually the symptoms you describe can provide enough evidence to diagnose menopause.

Most likely, the gynecologist will check the vaginal pH to help confirm menopause.. Vaginal pH is around 4.5 during reproductive years, but it reaches 6 during menopause.

In addition, your doctor may order tests to diagnose other conditions that cause symptoms similar to menopause. These tests usually include:

• Thyroid function test
• Measurement of blood fat level
• Liver and kidney function test

2... Hormonal test for menopause

Tests that help diagnose menopause include:

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

Follicle stimulating hormone is a hormone made by the brain that tells the ovaries to release an egg. FSH levels are at their highest just before an egg is released.

If you are in menopause, your ovaries no longer respond to FSH.. As a result, the brain tries to respond by producing more of the hormone.. FSH levels can vary from day to day.. Therefore, tracking its value over time is important to determine menopause status.

Continuously rising FSH probably means menopause, but other tests should be done to confirm.

Read more: Hormone therapy in menopause and facts you should know

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Luteinizing hormone is made by the pituitary gland, a small gland located just under the brain....During menopause, your ovaries stop responding to luteinizing hormone, so the pituitary gland tries to increase its production....like FSH, LH levels can vary from day to day...so, it should be checked over time.

High LH may mean menopause... However, some doctors believe that measuring LH may not be as helpful as checking FSH levels to diagnose menopause.

Estrogen (estradiol)

Estrogen testing is usually done on a blood sample, but it can also be done on a urine sample... A decrease in estrogen may mean menopause, but there are other factors that can affect the level of this hormone.

Other hormonal tests

Sometimes the doctor checks the level of thyroid hormone (TSH) with a blood test, because hypothyroidism can cause symptoms similar to menopause. In patients with hypothyroidism, the level of TSH hormone increases.

Recently, there is a test called PicoAMH Elisa that measures the amount of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in the blood. This test helps the doctor to understand when you enter menopause.

Read more: Menopause age in women.. What factors affect it?

Premature menopause trial

The onset of menopause between the ages of 40 and 45 is called "early menopause" and before the age of 40 is called "premature menopause". This problem can occur for a number of reasons, including: