Menopause Test For Self-Testing Use (2 Tests)

FSH-(Follicle Stimulation Hormone) is a hormone produced by pituitary gland which increases temporarily each month to stimulate ovaries to produce eggs. When a female enters the menopause and the ovaries stop working, the FSH level also increases. Testing for FSH can help determine whether a woman is in the perimenopause stage. If a female knows she is perimenopausal, she can take the appropriate steps to keep her body healthy and avoid the health risks associated with menopause.

Menopause

Menopause is a natural process that marks the end of reproductive years for someone with a uterus. In the years leading up to menopause, called perimenopause, you may experience hormonal and physiological changes. These changes can cause uncomfortable symptoms, including night sweats, mood swings, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness.

What is a menopause home test

A menopause home test is a simple, noninvasive way to check for certain hormones in your blood, saliva, or urine. The primary hormone that these tests assess is follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH is a hormone released by the pituitary gland. It’s involved in the menstrual cycle and egg development.

FSH level fluctuates over the menstrual cycle. It increases each month temporarily to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs. It also rises as you approach menopause because your ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone. Therefore, your FSH levels can indicate if your body is preparing for menopause. 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.

Causes of menopause

As you get older there is a change in the balance of the body's sex hormones. This change causes menopause. It happens when your ovaries produce less oestrogen (a hormone) and no longer release an egg each month. Premature or early menopause can happen at any age, and often there's no clear cause.

Sometimes it's caused by:

• a treatment such as surgery to remove the ovaries (oophorectomy)
• some breast cancer treatments
• chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• an underlying medical condition, such as Down syndrome or Addison's disease