Menopause Screening Test

Onset of menopause occurs usually around the age 50. But in some cases, it may start as early as mid-40’s, or may not start until a woman reaches her late 50’s. If a woman has not had a menstrual period for a year, it is generally accepted that she has reached menopause. In some cases, the doctor may recommend a diagnostic test to check blood levels for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen (estradiol), because FSH levels increase and estradiol levels decrease with the onset of menopause

The timing of symptoms varies significantly in menopause, where they might occur at the onset or in some cases may start even years before a womans final menstrual periods. While in some cases, women may experience symptoms for months or years after the onset of menopause.

Symptoms include irregular periods, vaginal dryness, mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats and weight gain

There are three stages of menopause:

• Stage1: Perimenopause - 3-5 year period before menopause when estrogen and hormone levels begin to drop.
• Stage2: Menopause - refers to the specific event, when a woman has missed her periods for 12 consecutive months (in the absence of other obvious reasons).
• Stage3: Postmenopause - includes all the years beyond menopause.

The average length of perimenopause is 4 years, but in some cases this stage may last for only a few months or continue for even up to 10 years. Perimenopause ends when a woman has gone 12 months without having her period

To diagnose menopause or perimenopause, doctor may suggest blood test to check follicle stimulating test (FSH) level, as menopause causes FSH levels to rise. Under certain circumstances, doctor may also suggest for thyroid function test to determine the thyroid-stimulating hormone level, as it causes similar symptoms to those seen in menopause.