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What Blood Work Is Done for Menopause Hormones?

Menopause occurs naturally between the ages of 45 and 55. If you are 50 or over and haven’t had a period in 12 months, you are probably in menopause. Blood tests can be done to test hormone levels that may signal if you are in menopause or close to menopause.

  1. Types

    • The most common blood work done for menopause hormones are the FSH test and the estradiol test. Doing the tests together may be a better indicator of menopause than either test alone.

    Follicle Stimulating Hormone

    • Raised levels of FSH, follicle stimulating hormone, are an indicator that your ovaries are no longer working and you may be in menopause.

    Estradiol

    • The estradiol test measures the amount of estrogen being produced by your ovaries. Reduced levels of this hormone may indicate that you are in menopause.

    Considerations

    • Your hormone levels fluctuate from one day to the next, so hormone levels aren’t a reliable way to diagnose menopause. Discontinuation of periods in a woman around the age of 50 is the only way to diagnose menopause for sure.

    Do You Need a Blood Test?

    • Your doctor will not prescribe therapy for menopause if you are not experiencing any symptoms, even if blood work indicates that you are in menopause. Blood work for menopause is not done routinely. See your doctor if you are experiencing menopausal symptoms.

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