“A definite diagnosis of perimenopause is not possible using hormone levels because oestradiol and FSH levels can fluctuate markedly throughout the cycle, from day to day”.1
Umbrella
What may the Menopause Diagnosis Umbrella include?
Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:
- Menopause Confirmation
- Menopause Diagnosis
- Menopause Test
- Perimenopause Diagnosis
- Perimenopause Test
Predict or Confirm
Is there a simple test to predict or confirm menopause or perimenopause?
In How Do I Know I’m In Menopause? The Bottom Line the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) elaborate on:
“To date, there is no simple test to predict or confirm menopause or perimenopause, but research continues. So, check your menstrual calendar and seek your health providers’ opinions”.2
Final Menstrual Period Blood Tests
Can blood tests tell you when your final period is going to happen?
In About Menopause: Diagnosis of Menopause – Is There A Test To Diagnose Perimenopause or Menopause? the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) explain:
“Blood tests won’t tell you when your final period is going to happen and won’t help you manage your perimenopause, or what follows. During the perimenopause, hormone levels vary widely and can be low one day and within the normal range the next”.3
Perimenopause Blood Tests
Can blood tests diagnose perimenopause?
In About Menopause: Diagnosis of Menopause – Is There A Test To Diagnose Perimenopause or Menopause? Blood Tests the JH elaborate on:
Menopause Blood Tests
Can blood tests diagnose menopause?
In About Menopause: Diagnosis of Menopause – Is There A Test To Diagnose Perimenopause or Menopause? Blood Tests the JH elaborate on:
Best Way
Currently what is the best way to predict menopause?
In About Menopause: Diagnosis of Menopause – Is There A Test To Diagnose Perimenopause or Menopause? The Best Test So Far the JH also explain:
“Currently, the best way to predict menopause is to use the symptoms you have as a guide to whether you are close to menopause. If your periods are irregular or have stopped for some time, or if you are experiencing symptoms such as hot flushes and they are gradually getting worse, these signs are likely to be better indicators than blood or saliva tests that you are getting closer to menopause”.6
Diagnosis
How is menopause diagnosed?
On page one in Diagnostic Tests for Menopause the European Menopause and Andropause Society note:
“Perimenopause and menopause should be diagnosed without laboratory tests in otherwise healthy women aged over 45 years, on the basis of vasomotor symptoms, irregular periods and amenorrhea”.7
In Diagnosing Menopause: Key Points the Australasian Menopause Society (AMS) explain:
- “Perimenopause is usually diagnosed clinically on the basis of new onset vasomotor or other symptoms and a change in the pattern of menstrual bleeding. Menopause is diagnosed 12 months after the final menstrual period”.8
What are vasomotor symptoms?
DotS the definition of vasomotor symptoms may vary. The North American Menopause Society’s definition is:
“Vasomotor symptoms. Also known as hot flashes and night sweats, common symptoms during perimenopause and early postmenopause”.9
In About Menopause: The Stages of Menopause – Perimenopause: Diagnosis of Perimenopause JH explain:
- Changes in the nature of your periods, such as:
- How frequent they are now and if that has changed?
- How long they last and if that has changed?
- How light or heavy they are and if that has changed?”10
In Diagnosing Menopause: Symptom Assessment and Diagnosis At Perimenopause and Menopause the AMS elaborate on:
“Many women come to the consultation expecting a blood test to diagnose menopause, and it is important to explain to them why we use the symptom score rather than a blood test in establishing a diagnosis. It is important to explain to women that the blood tests of FSH/oestradiol can fluctuate on a daily basis and therefore are not useful or necessary”.11
What is FSH?
FSH can be an abbreviation for Follicle Stimulating Hormone.
Symptom Score
What is the Symptom Score used by the AMS?
In Diagnosing Menopause: Symptom Score Sheet the AMS include a Symptom Score (Modified Greene Scale) and explain:
Blood Test
What may a blood test measure?
In the NICE Guideline Menopause Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Diagnosing Menopause the (British) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) explain:
“The blood test measures a hormone called FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). FSH is found in higher levels in menopause. You should not be offered this test if you are taking a contraceptive containing oestrogen and progestogen or high dose progestogen because the contraceptive changes your natural FSH levels”.13
How reliable is a single FSH test as an indicator of perimenopause?
In What Is Menopause? How Is Menopause Diagnosed? the AMS also note:
“A single hormone test, such as a measurement of elevated follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is not a reliable indicator of the perimenopause, as women’s hormone levels may fluctuate from day to day”.14
In How Do I Know I’m In Menopause? What About Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Testing? the NAMS elaborate on:
“…a single FSH level can be misleading in perimenopause because estrogen production does not fall at a steady rate from day to day. Instead, both estrogen and FSH levels can vary greatly during perimenopause. One elevated FSH level is not enough to confirm menopause. More important, a low FSH level in a woman who is having hot flashes and changing periods does not eliminate the likelihood that she is still in perimenopause”.15
What can compromise the validity of FSH tests?
In Diagnosing Menopause: Symptom Assessment and Diagnosis At Perimenopause and Menopause the AMS also note:
“It is especially unhelpful to do hormone blood tests while women are on MHT/OCP – symptoms, not blood levels, guide therapy”.16
What is HRT?
MHT can be an abbreviation for Menopausal Hormone Therapy (HRT), otherwise known as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or Hormone Therapy (MT).
What is OCP?
OCP can be an abbreviation for Oral Contraceptive Pill, otherwise known as “The Pill” or birth control pills.
Over-the-Counter FSH Test
What may over-the-counter FSH tests check?
In Menopause: Menopause Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:
“Over-the-counter home tests to check FSH levels in your urine are available. The tests could tell you whether you have elevated FSH levels and might be in perimenopause or menopause. But, since FSH levels rise and fall during the course of your menstrual cycle, home FSH tests can’t really tell you whether or not you’re definitely in a stage of menopause”.17
Saliva Tests
Can saliva tests diagnose perimenopause?
In How Do I Know I’m In Menopause? What About Saliva Testing? the NAMS also note:
“Salivary hormone level tests are expensive, are not accurate, and should not be used to evaluate or treat menopause symptoms”.18
Blood Tests Because…
Why may blood tests be ordered?
In About Menopause: Diagnosis of Menopause – Is There A Test To Diagnose Perimenopause or Menopause? Blood Tests the JH elaborate on:
“In some unusual situations, such as in women younger than 45 whose periods are irregular or have stopped, a doctor will measure hormone levels. Outside of such situations, hormone levels are not very helpful and won’t change the advice a doctor will give you about treating menopausal symptoms”.19
In What Is Menopause? How Is Menopause Diagnosed? the AMS note:
“Measurement of FSH to diagnose perimenopause or menopause is not usually indicated. A single hormone test, such as a measurement of elevated follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is not a reliable indicator of the perimenopause, as women’s hormone levels may fluctuate from day to day. However, investigations may be required in certain cases including: (i) if the woman has had a hysterectomy; (ii) concern that symptoms may be due to illness (e.g., thyroid disorder rather than natural ageing); or (iii) if woman is under 45 years of age”.20
In the NICE Guideline Menopause Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Diagnosing Menopause the NICE explain:
- You are between 40 and 45 and have menopausal symptoms, including changes in your menstrual cycle (how often you have periods)
- You are under 40 and your GP suspects you are in menopause”.21
Who is a GP?
DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) a GP may be a qualified and registered general practitioner, a medical practitioner, a medical doctor or a doctor.
Health Care Provider
What if I would like to find out if I am perimenopausal or not?
If you would like to find out if you are perimenopausal or not, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can clarify your symptoms, discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.
In the NICE Guideline Menopause Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Diagnosing Menopause the NICE elaborate on:
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics related to Menopause Diagnosis?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Links
Where may I find Links related to Menopause Diagnosis?
Your Country may have Links similar to:
Links
This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.- AMS Symptom Score Card
- AMS Template for Menopause Consult
- About Menopause: Diagnosis of Menopause
- Antimullerian Hormone and Impending Menopause In Late Reproductive Age: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation
- Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
- BMS Statement on Over-the-Counter Menopause Tests
- Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
- Causes of Menopause
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
- Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms
- Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Complementary and Herbal Therapies for Hot Flushes
- Diagnosing Menopause
- Diagnosing Menopause
- Diagnosing Menopause: Symptom Score (Modified Greene Scale)
- Diagnostic Tests for Menopause
- Dr.Louise Newson Breaks Down The Menopause & Lisa Snowdon Shares Her Experience | This Morning
- EMAS Menopause Essentials
- EMAS Replay: Risk Assessment for MHT – When, To Whom, Which, and How Long?
- EMAS Replay: The Relevance of Estrogen and Progestogen Choice for Breast Safety During MHT
- Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Resources and Information: Quick Links – 1. Question Prompt List
- Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Women’s Profiles
- Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
- Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
- Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Levels Test
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Hot Flashes: Manage Without Medication?
- Hot Flashes: What Can I Do?
- How Long Does Menopause Last? – Ask Dr Jean
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [+ Video: Menopause]
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP]
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Supporting Someone Through the Menopause [+ Video: Men Don’t Need To Know About Menopause]
- Learning To Cope With Hot Flashes
- Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications for Menopausal Symptoms
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Blood Test
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Levels Test
- Managing Menopausal Symptoms—Hormone Replacement Therapy Is Not the Only Option!
- Mayo Clinic Minute: How Lifestyle Changes May Help Manage Menopause Symptoms [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause & Herbs
- Menopause Basics: How Will I Know If I Am Starting the Transition To Menopause?
- Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Menopause FAQs: An Introduction To Menopause
- Menopause FAQs: Premature, Early, and Induced Menopause
- Menopause Home Tests: Do They Work?
- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
- Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
- Menopause – Fact Sheet (Plain English)
- Menopause – Multilingual Facts Sheet
- Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Diagnosis
- Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Diagnosing Menopause [NICE Guideline]
- Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
- Menopause: Symptoms & Causes
- Menopause: What Are the Symptoms? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menstrual Calendar
- Menstrual Calendar: Calendario Menstrual [Spanish]
- Menstrual Calendar: Calendrier Menstruel [French]
- My Periods Have Changed. Is Menopause Around the Corner?
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 4 Things To Know About Menopausal Symptoms and Complementary Health Practices
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms In Depth
- Natural Remedies To Help Manage Perimenopause Symptoms
- Night Sweats
- Ovulation Test (Saliva Test)
- Perimenopause
- Perimenopause
- Perimenopause or Menopausal Transition: Measuring Hormone Levels In the Menopausal Transition
- Perimenopause: Diagnosis & Treatment
- Period Pain & Symptom Diary
- Shop-Bought Menopause Tests Not Worth It, Women Advised
- Supporting Women Through Menopause
- Symptoms of Menopause
- The Menopause Years
- Understanding Menopause – Booklet
- Understanding Premature & Early Menopause – Booklet
- Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
- Video Series-2021: How Menopause Symptoms Can Affect Your Quality of Life
- Video Series-2021: Importance of Contraception At Perimenopause
- Video Series-2021: Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
- Video Series-2021: What Women Need To Know About Hormone Therapies
- Video Series-2022: Hormone Therapy: Understanding the Risks and Benefits
- Video Series-2022: Irregular Menstrual Cycles What’s Normal and What’s Abnormal?
- Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptom, and Solutions
- Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: Is Testosterone the Answer To Low Libido?
- Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: Migraine Headaches
- Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: The Menopause Blues
- Webinar: Perimenopause
- Webinars: Previous – Menopause: A Cardio-Metabolic Transition
- Webinars: Previous – The Early Menopausal Patient
- What Are the 34 Symptoms of Menopause?
- What Can I Do To Help With Hot Flashes?
- What Is Menopause?
- Women’s Wellness: Mindfulness May Ease Menopausal Symptoms
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources at:
Sources
- About Menopause: Diagnosis of Menopause – Is There A Test To Diagnose Perimenopause or Menopause? Blood Tests. Last Updated: 28 February 2022 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause/ Accessed: 14 May 2022
- How Do I Know I’m In Menopause? The Bottom Line. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/how-do-i-know-i’m-in-menopause- Accessed: 14 May 2022
- About Menopause: Diagnosis of Menopause – Is There A Test To Diagnose Perimenopause or Menopause? Blood Tests. Last Updated: 28 February 2022 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause/ Accessed: 14 May 2022
- About Menopause: Diagnosis of Menopause – Is There A Test To Diagnose Perimenopause or Menopause? Blood Test. Last Updated: 28 February 20212 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause/ Accessed: 14 May 2022
- About Menopause: Diagnosis of Menopause – Is There A Test To Diagnose Perimenopause or Menopause? Blood Test. Last Updated: 28 February 2022 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause/ Accessed: 14 May 2022
- About Menopause: Diagnosis of Menopause – Is There A Test To Diagnose Perimenopause or Menopause? The Best Test So Far. Last Updated: 28 February 2022 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause/ Accessed: 14 May 2022
- Diagnostic Tests for Menopause. 2022:1. European Menopause and Andropause Society https://emas-online.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Diagnostic-tests-for-menopause.pdf Accessed: 14 May 2022
- Diagnosing Menopause: Key Points. Content Created May 2022. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/gp-hp-resources/300-diagnosing-menopause Accessed: 11 June 2022
- Glossary: V – Vasomotor Symptoms. North American Menopause Society http://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-glossary#V Accessed: 14 May 2022
- About Menopause: The Stages of Menopause – Perimenopause: Diagnosis of Perimenopause. Last Updated: 28 February 2022 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause/ Accessed: 14 May 2022
- Diagnosing Menopause: Symptom Assessment and Diagnosis At Perimenopause and Menopause. Content Created May 2022. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/gp-hp-resources/300-diagnosing-menopause Accessed: 12 June 2022
- Diagnosing Menopause: Symptom Score Sheet. Content Created May 2022. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/gp-hp-resources/300-diagnosing-menopause Accessed: 11 June 2022
- Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Diagnosing Menopause. NICE Guidelines [NG23]. Published Date: November 2015. Last Updated: 05 December 2019. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/ifp/chapter/Diagnosing-menopause Accessed: 14 May 2022
- What Is Menopause? How Is Menopause Diagnosed? Content Created May 2022. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/185-what-is-menopause Accessed: 11 June 2022
- How Do I Know I’m In Menopause? What About Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Testing? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/how-do-i-know-i’m-in-menopause- Accessed: 14 May 2022
- Diagnosing Menopause: Symptom Assessment and Diagnosis At Perimenopause and Menopause. Content Created May 2022. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/gp-hp-resources/300-diagnosing-menopause Accessed: 12 June 2022
- Menopause – Diagnosis & Treatment: Diagnosis. 14 October 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401 Accessed: 14 May 2022
- How Do I Know I’m In Menopause? What About Saliva Testing? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/how-do-i-know-i’m-in-menopause- Accessed: 14 May 2022
- About Menopause: Diagnosis of Menopause – Is There A Test To Diagnose Perimenopause or Menopause? Blood Tests. Last Updated: 23 March 2021 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause/ Accessed: 14 May 2022
- What Is Menopause? How Is Menopause Diagnosed? Content Created May 2022. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/gp-hp-resources/300-diagnosing-menopause Accessed: 11 June 2022
- Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Diagnosing Menopause. NICE Guidelines [NG23]. Published Date: November 2015. Last Updated: 05 December 2019. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/ifp/chapter/Diagnosing-menopause Accessed: 14 May 2022