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How Can Menopause Be Identified?
Question: Hi, can you help at all, is it possible to have a test to see if you are going through the menopause at all, I am only 41 but am really stuffling with a lot of symptoms which I believe are possibly menopause related?
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Yes, there are tests that can give an indication as to whether you are entering menopause. These include an FSH level (follicle stimulating hormone) and a vaginal pH swab. In menopause and after, follicle stimulating hormone which is made by the pituitary increases. FSH can be elevated during the first half of a normal menstrual cycle too, so sometimes other hormones are checked at the same time.
The pH in menopause will be higher than during normal cycling.
If your periods are irregular, it would be a good idea to get a thyroid test too. This would include TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and T4 (thyroxine). These are blood tests which can be done at the same time that blood is drawn for the FSH.
At 41, if periods are irregular, it's also recommended to check prolactin levels and a pregnancy test (serum HCG).
Sometimes an estrogen level is checked too, but is not always necessary. But I would get the FSH, HCG, prolactin, and thyroid blood tests done if periods have become irregular.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Yes, there are tests that can give an indication as to whether you are entering menopause. These include an FSH level (follicle stimulating hormone) and a vaginal pH swab. In menopause and after, follicle stimulating hormone which is made by the pituitary increases. FSH can be elevated during the first half of a normal menstrual cycle too, so sometimes other hormones are checked at the same time.
The pH in menopause will be higher than during normal cycling.
If your periods are irregular, it would be a good idea to get a thyroid test too. This would include TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and T4 (thyroxine). These are blood tests which can be done at the same time that blood is drawn for the FSH.
At 41, if periods are irregular, it's also recommended to check prolactin levels and a pregnancy test (serum HCG).
Sometimes an estrogen level is checked too, but is not always necessary. But I would get the FSH, HCG, prolactin, and thyroid blood tests done if periods have become irregular.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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