Menopause: Tests
The time of life when a woman’s ovaries stop producing hormones and menstrual periods stop. Natural menopause usually occurs around age 50. A woman is said to be in menopause when she hasn’t had a period for 12 months in a row.
Part of: Menopause
About Menopause Tests
If a woman would like to know for sure whether she has entered menopause, a doctor can measure the levels of various hormones in her blood. But the levels of hormones in her blood will not tell her anything about whether she could still get pregnant, or whether it is worth considering treatment if she has menopause-related problems.
The overall level of estrogen gradually decreases during menopause. This changes the balance between estrogens and other hormones. The body also reacts to the reduction in estrogen by producing more of another type of hormone called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
These changes are typical during menopause. But measuring hormone levels is usually not a reliable way to determine whether a woman’s menopause is already over. This is because hormone levels can fluctuate a lot around the time of her last menstrual period. Looking at ovarian activity cannot provide… Read more about Menopause: Tests