subject: Menopause Test [print this page] Menopause Test Menopause Test
Is it accurate?
Menopause by definition is the cessation of menstruation for a period of 12 continuous months. This occurs naturally in women ages 40-55. The average age at this time is 51.
Prior to reaching this milestone, our bodies start to go through changes and menstruation becomes irregular and this can start as long as 8-10 years prior to menopause. This is when women start to wonder, "How long until I reach menopause?"
There could be many reasons why women want to know if their time has come so to speak. They may still want another child, or have anxieties about everything they've heard about menopause. Unfortunately there is a lot of negative conversation about this topic.
There are tests available that will test the FSH level in either blood or urine. FSH stands for follicle stimulating hormone, a hormone that is released by the pituitary gland in the brain when estrogen levels drop. This hormone stimulates ovaries to develop eggs and the level is usually elevated a few days prior to the start of menstruation. FSH drops again once the egg is released.
The problem with FSH levels is that they fluctuate on a daily basis as well as throughout the monthly cycle. You can buy kits over- the- counter that are similar to pregnancy tests and they claim to give you a yes/no answer within minutes. The problem is that these tests are not conclusive. As mentioned, FSH levels fluctuate and therefore a positive result does not necessarily mean that you are in pre-menopause or perimenopause.
You should keep a log of your symptoms as well as your periods over 6 months and then share it with your doctor. He can order an FSH blood test and make a diagnosis together with the test results and your symptoms as to whether or not you are reaching menopause. Having said that, there still is no way to predict when your periods will stop forever. Also important to remember is that as long as you are still having periods, you can still become pregnant!
