Español
Menopause is a natural stage in every woman’s life, marking the end of menstruation and fertility. But how do you know for sure if you have reached this stage? A female hormone test can be a key tool in diagnosing menopause. In this post, we’ll explore how these tests can help you better understand your hormonal health and confirm whether you’re in menopause.
What is menopause?
Menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of menstrual cycles, diagnosed retrospectively after 12 consecutive months without menstruation. It usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, although this can vary.
Some of the most common symptoms of menopause include:
– Hot flushes
– Night sweats
– Mood swings
– Insomnia
– Vaginal dryness
– Decreased libido
These symptoms may be indicative of menopause, but a hormone test can provide more accurate confirmation.
Female hormone testing involves measuring the levels of certain hormones in the blood that change significantly during the menopause. The main analyses include:
– During menopause, FSH levels rise. An elevated FSH level may be an indicator that the ovaries are producing less oestrogen and progesterone.
- Estradiol:
– It is the main type of oestrogen produced by the ovaries. Oestradiol levels decrease significantly during menopause.
- Luteinising Hormone (LH):
– Similar to FSH, LH levels also increase during menopause.
How is the analysis carried out?
The process is simple and usually involves a blood draw. Hormone levels can vary throughout the menstrual cycle, so your doctor will advise you on the appropriate time to test.
The results of hormone tests should be interpreted by a health professional. An elevated FSH level, combined with low oestradiol levels, is a strong indicator of menopause. However, other factors, such as perimenopause (the transition before menopause), can also influence hormone levels.
Follow us on the networks for more information about health and remember that in CQS we perform all clinical laboratory tests.