Over the Counter Menopause Tests

Over-the-counter menopause tests are urine tests that measure the amount of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in your urine.

Function

• Over-the-counter menopause tests are marketed as a way to determine if you are approaching menopause.

What the Test Measures

• FSH is secreted by your pituitary gland in response to low estrogen levels. It is one of the hormones that regulates your menstrual cycle. A high FSH level can indicate a perimenopausal or menopausal state at the time of the test.

Menopause vs. Perimenopause

• Menopause is defined as the point at which you have not had a menstrual period for 12 months. Perimenopause is the process leading up to menopause and can last for a few years or 10 years or longer.

Considerations

• According to the Women to Women Health Clinic, over-the-counter menopause tests have limited value because during perimenopause your hormone levels can fluctuate greatly. One month the test might indicate high FSH and the next month normal FSH.

Expert Insight

• The Women to Women Health Clinic suggests that rather than worrying about whether you're in menopause, listen to what your body is telling you and make decisions based on that.