How to Determine If You Are in Menopause

Menopause, sometimes referred to as "the change," is a natural biological event that occurs in every woman's life. Physical changes and emotional symptoms can signal the onset of this process, which sometimes takes years to completely evolve. Perimenopause is when these symptoms start. After you have fully gone into menopause, postmenopause is the condition that occurs afterward. Many women have mixed feelings about this transition, since menopause means that they will no longer be able to have children. If you are in your 40s or 50s, which is generally when menopausal symptoms begin, it's important that you know how to determine whether or not you have entered this phase of life.

Things You'll Need

• Observation of symptoms
• Bone density test
• Hormone level test
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone Test

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Instructions

• 1

  Look for any changes in your menstrual cycle. If you do not have a menstrual period for 12 months straight, you probably have officially entered menopause. Other symptoms that may indicate that you are about to enter this phase of your life are irregular periods, scant periods and heavy bleeding. Make sure to have your gynecologist perform a pelvic examination, including a Pap test, to rule out ovarian cysts or ovarian tumors as a cause of your altered menstrual cycle.

• 2

  Chart any problems with mood swings occurring more often than usual. You may feel as though you are on an emotional roller coaster, from feeling calm to feeling depressed, easily upset and irritable.

• 3

  Look out for indications of growing memory loss. For example, you may find yourself forgetting things you once easily remembered or grasping for words during a conversation, which can be quite distressing when it occurs. This can be a sign of menopause.

• 4

  Take note if you are having night sweats and hot flashes. These are normal symptoms experienced by women who go through menopause. Your body temperature becomes elevated, due to lower levels of estrogen in your body.

• 5

  Observe your skin for changes. This includes dry skin, itchy skin, tingly skin and blemishes. Ask your dermatologist if this indicates that you may be entering menopause.

• 6

  Report any joint problems you begin to experience to your doctor. You may need to ask your doctor to do a bone density test to find out if your joint pain is a sign of osteoporosis, which commonly transpires during menopause.

• 7

  Get your hormonal levels checked by your doctor. This can be done through a blood test that measures your estrogen and progesterone levels.

• 8

  Get a Follicle Stimulating Hormone Test, which can also be performed by your doctor. This is a simple blood test that lets you find out if your FSH level goes above the normal range of ovulation. If it does, then you are going through menopause.