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Menopause is a natural process that marks the end of reproductive years for people who menstruate. In perimenopause, the years leading up to menopause, you may experience hormonal and physiological changes. These changes can cause uncomfortable symptoms, including:
People who menstruate usually experience menopause in their 40s or 50s. According to the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), age 51 is the average age. If you’re approaching menopause, it’s important to understand the changes that go along with this transition.
Yes, to some extent, but they are not definitive. A home test can’t confirm if you are experiencing premenopause, perimenopause, or menopause.
Instead, the tests provide further information about your hormone status, and you’ll learn if your follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels are elevated.
FSH is a hormone released by the pituitary gland. It’s involved in the menstrual cycle and egg development. So, your FSH levels can indicate if your body is preparing for menopause.
You can use the measured levels to inform your next steps depending on your test results.
So, if your FSH levels are high and you’re experiencing uncomfortable menopausal symptoms, this may be a clue that you’re approaching menopause. From there, you can make an appointment with a doctor to discuss your symptoms, medical history, and more.
Home menopause testing kits can give you an idea of what’s happening in your body. These tests can be helpful for those approaching menopause or who’ve been experiencing symptoms and want to know if they’re related to hormonal changes.
A menopause home test is a simple, noninvasive way to check for certain hormones in your:
blood
saliva
urine
The primary hormone that these tests assess is FSH.
Some tests may also check your levels of estradiol, a form of estrogen, and luteinizing hormone (LH). Estradiol thickens the uterine lining in preparation for egg implantation. After menopause, estradiol levels decrease while LH levels increase.
If you’re approaching menopause or experiencing symptoms that may be related to hormonal changes, a menopause home test could be a helpful tool.
Although some at-home menopause tests are similar to those that healthcare professionals use, a doctor also considers other factors. As part of their comprehensive evaluation, they’ll assess your:
symptoms
medical history
family history
At-home menopause tests are convenient and can give a snapshot of what’s happening hormonally. They’ll also provide an estimate of your hormone levels. However, they can’t replace a doctor’s appointment.
If a home test indicates that you might be going through menopause, it’s still wise to make an appointment with a doctor. They can take a blood sample, and a laboratory can accurately analyze your FSH and other hormone levels. This can give you a fuller picture of your health.
Choosing the most suitable at-home menopause testing kit can be difficult with so many available.
The best one for you may depend on the following factors:
Price: The tests we reviewed cost from just under $10 to almost $150. You’ll want to pick one that’s the best fit for your budget.
Collection: Are you comfortable with a finger-prick blood sample or do you prefer urine only?
Hormones measured: Do you want to know about FSH or other hormones too?
Results: Do you need answers quickly, or are you happy to wait up to 10 days?
Support: Do you prefer a test that provides a free consultation with a healthcare professional?
By considering these factors and reading the detailed product descriptions, you can find an at-home menopause test that provides the information and support you need.
If you’re experiencing symptoms that disrupt the usual rhythms of your life, it’s best to talk with a doctor. They can outline potential treatments such as hormone replacement therapy and medications to prevent or treat osteoporosis.
It can also cause uncomfortable physical symptoms like hot flashes and sweating.
If you experience symptoms of depression, you can reach out to a mental health professional. Together, you can work to determine the best treatment options for relieving symptoms.
You can use an at-home menopause test to measure your FSH level, which increases during menopause. However, these kits are not a surefire way of testing for menopause.
Nevertheless, if you use the tests, monitor your symptoms, and track your menstrual cycles, you’ll have a good overall understanding of your menopausal status.
A doctor can diagnose menopause depending on your symptoms, medical history, and a thorough health assessment.
Some menopause home tests are FDA-approved, but most are not. Overall, the FDA doesn’t review what it considers to be wellness tests, so there’s no guarantee that your results are accurate.
Keep in mind that these tests are not designed for diagnosis. Instead, they may provide information that can help you make informed decisions about your health. It’s always best to talk with a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis and advice.
No, you can’t conclusively self-diagnose perimenopause. At-home test kits measure certain hormones, and these levels may suggest you are in menopause or perimenopause. However, the qualitative results mean they cannot definitively diagnose perimenopause.
Still, they are a useful tool to help you and a doctor determine if further testing is needed.
Perimenopause typically begins in the mid to late 40s. If you menstruate, you may 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 4–8 years before this.
The menstrual cycle becomes variable during perimenopause. And eventually, it stops completely. You’ve transitioned through menopause following 12 months with no menstrual periods.
If you’re interested in menopause testing because you suspect your fertility has been disrupted by perimenopause, you might consider fertility testing instead.
Menopause marks the official end of menstruation. Perimenopause describes the years leading up to menopause, when the menstrual cycle gradually stops, accompanied by hormonal, emotional, and physical changes.
At-home menopause tests can help you learn about your hormone levels and check if you’re transitioning toward menopause. While they can’t tell you definitively that you’re in menopause or perimenopause, it’s a sound idea to make an appointment with a doctor anyway.
It’s also smart to discuss menopause symptoms with a doctor if they’re disrupting your life. They can suggest ways of managing them and rule out any other potential causes.
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