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You may have heard about a kit you can use at home to see if you are in menopause. It tests urine for the presence of FSH, or follicle-stimulating hormone. According to the company, a person can view their results on their LetsGetChecked account within 5 days. Afterward, they can discuss their results with the LetsGetChecked nursing team, which is available 24/7. If a person’s results suggest they are in perimenopause, they can talk with a myLAB physician for free to discuss the result. People who order this test kit receive a saliva collection tube, a plastic box, biohazard bags, a return label, and an envelope.
It provides guidance on the different stages, their lengths, characteristics, and signs. Although there is no exact test to determine menopause, STRAW also provides guidelines for hormone levels that play a role in determining the stages in the menopausal transition. For all of these reasons, FSH testing is not suited as a routine test for every woman around the age of menopause. Encouraging women without any menopausal symptoms to check their FSH levels is not doing them any service.
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Now, this may seem contradictory and you are probably wondering why FSH levels are not declining now that your ovaries are on a hiatus. Your doctor may order a blood test to check your levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and estrogen. During menopause, your FSH levels increase and your estrogen levels decrease. The symptoms of menopause can be vague and differ from person to person, so using a tool such as lab tests can be effective in helping you understand what is happening in your body.
Sex hormone binding globulin – Sex hormone binding globulin is a hormone that binds to testosterone. High levels of SHBG can help you understand what is happening to other hormones in your body. SHBG increases/decreases in response to estrogen which makes it an important part of hormone testing.
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For example, you may be on a type of contraception that stops your periods, or you may have a medical condition that makes your periods infrequent. For this reason, it is important to be certain that you have been through menopause before stopping contraception. Pregnancy is rare as you get into your late 40s and 50s, although it can happen.
A menopause self-test will tell you if your FSH levels are elevated, not if you definitely are in menopause or perimenopause. Menopause is the stage in life when menstruation stops for at least 12 months. The stage prior to this is called perimenopause and could last for several years. You may reach menopause in your early 40s or as late as your 60s. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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Most will also notice typical signs, including hot flushes, disturbed sleep and mood changes among others. If this is the case, you generally do not need an FSH or other hormonal test to confirm menopause. Most tests instead focus on your follicle-stimulating hormone and, occasionally, your luteinizing hormone . These are both important in controlling your menstrual cycle during your premenopausal life. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.
This hormone helps stimulate the reproductive systems and is created in the pituitary gland. You can book a video or clinic consultation with a specialist too. “Understanding your hormones is the first step in seeking appropriate HRT dosage,” says O’Neill.
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Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. If you menstruate, you’ll likely experience menopause between ages 40 and 58, according to NAMS. But some people go through early menopause before this time. Usually, the transitional phase of perimenopause begins around 4 to 8 years before this. Keep in mind that these tests aren’t designed for diagnosis.
After registering your testing kit, you’ll need to collect a finger-prick blood sample on the third day of your menstrual cycle before 10 a.m. Additionally, you can’t take the test if you’re using hormonal birth control. After collecting your sample, you have to mail it the same day using the prepaid envelope. These 5 menopause home tests may be able to give insight into your hormone levels.We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.
This test may help you be better informed about your current condition when you see your doctor. Follicle stimulating hormone is a hormone produced by your pituitary gland. When you enter menopause and your ovaries stop working, your FSH levels also increase.
They may test the pH of your vagina using a swab to confirm menopause. The pH of the vagina is around 4.5 during your reproductive years. But your doctor may recommend certain medications and hormone therapies to deal with symptoms that can affect your quality of life.
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