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Menopause Testing

Theres no doubt that menopause influences every womans life sometime during middle age (early 40s to mid-60s), but that doesnt mean that every woman will experience the same degree of hot flashes, sleeplessness, exhaustion or bloating. Menopause might actually leave some women wondering if or when its started.

One surefire way to discover if youre in menopause is to ask your doctor for menopause testing. This tests the level of FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone), a hormone thats produced by your pituitary gland (located at the bottom of your brain). In your menopausal years, as your ovaries slow down the production of eggs and eventually cease working altogether, FSH levels will increase.

Traditional menopause testing is conducted by a doctor who draws blood and sends it out to a lab for testing. It typically takes between 3 and 5 days to get the results back. If your FSH levels are high, your doctor will want to ensure the accuracy of the test by recommending a second round of testing.

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Home menopause test kits have recently appeared and are considered more convenient and less expensive than traditional testing. The test is very similar to a home pregnancy test kit. You simply put a few drops of urine on the menopausal test device by putting the end in your urine stream, or by dipping the test device into a cup of your urine. Chemicals in the test device react with FSH and a color will appear in a window for you to read. Home menopause testing has an accuracy rate as high as 90-percent. It can detect FSH levels quickly and helps you determine whether or not your symptoms are related to menopause or perimenopause.

Acknowledging and treating menopause is necessary for avoiding the risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure and heart diseases. Experiencing menopause is nothing to be frightened about. Familiarizing yourself with your body and understanding the changes and side effects associated with menopause - such as depression, fatigue, insomnia and mood swings - can help you cope and enjoy the rest of your life.