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Menopause Tests & Diagnosis

In the United States, the average age of a woman going through menopause is 51, according to the Mayo Clinic. And the process of menopause is characterized, initially, by irregular menstrual cycles (known as perimenopause), which eventually culminates in the cessation of menstrual periods altogether (after 12 consecutive months of missed periods). However, in spite of these general signs, sometimes it is still necessary to seek medical testing and diagnosis to confirm menstrual changes are due to menopause.

  1. Menopause Defined

    • Menopause occurs as a result of hormonal changes in a woman's body, which bring about the natural end of fertility and menstrual cycles. These hormone reductions occur in the ovaries and the adrenal gland. Because of these hormonal changes, women might experience physical symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings and sleep disruptions.

    Diagnosing Menopause

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, most women are able to determine if they are going through menopause due to its symptoms and signs. However, medical evaluation and diagnosis is sometimes sought when symptoms are troubling to the woman experiencing them and they desire medical confirmation of this condition.

    Menopause Testing

    • In order for doctors to more accurately diagnose menopause, they need to perform three blood tests. These tests consist of measuring three hormone levels in the body. The three hormones are the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), the estrogen (estradiol) hormone and the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

    FSH and Estradiol Tests

    • When women began going through menopause, their hormone levels change, sometimes drastically. The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level will rise, but the estrogen (estradiol) hormone level will actually decrease during the menopause process. Performing and comparing these two tests help doctors as they seek to confirm menopause.

    Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Test

    • One medical condition that can produce similar symptoms in women as menopause is known as hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid). It can cause obesity and infertility (two symptoms of menopause as well). That is why doctors also perform a TSH blood test. By checking the thyroid-stimulating hormone level, doctors are better able to determine which condition is being experienced---hypothyroidism or menopause.

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