For people who menstruate, perimenopause and menopause are an inevitable part of life. Hormonal changes can make this a difficult time, and it may be tempting to use an at-home test kit to determine if you have entered this stage of your life, especially if you are experiencing symptoms. However, at-home menopause test kits are not an accurate science, and you should instead see your health care provider for more precise testing and personalized care.
Understanding Menopause and Perimenopause
Perimenopause, also called the menopausal transition, is when your body starts the progression toward menopause. Most women experience this in their 40s, but it can begin as early as the mid-30s. Estrogen levels in your body rise and fall unevenly, and you may have irregular menstrual cycles and typical menopause symptoms such as:
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness
- Night sweats
- Trouble sleeping
- Mood changes
- Hair thinning or hair loss
- Chills
- Weight gain
However, the status of your menstrual cycle is what determines if you are officially menopausal.
鈥淭welve consecutive months of no menstrual bleeding is really what defines menopause.鈥
Why At-Home Test Kits Aren鈥檛 Reliable
If you鈥檙e in your 40s and experiencing , it may be tempting to reach for a test kit the next time you鈥檙e in a shop. However, tests are pricey and may give you misleading results.
These kits for the presence of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which manages the menstrual cycle by stimulating the ovaries to release an egg.
However, FSH levels can vary greatly from person to person and fluctuate during the course of the menstrual cycle. So they are not a reliable marker of someone鈥檚 menopause status.
鈥淩esults can be hard to interpret and it鈥檚 not something women can rely on for accuracy,鈥 Moreno says. 鈥淵ou still need to be able to talk to and be evaluated by a professional, especially if symptoms are debilitating. We need to look at the entire clinical picture, not just one value.鈥
Importance of Clinical Testing
If you鈥檙e not experiencing any menopause symptoms, there is no need to test for them. However, if you are having symptoms, the best course of action is to see your doctor.
鈥淲e can figure out if there are any other conditions that may be causing symptoms,鈥 Moreno says. 鈥淔or example, thyroid disorders, specifically hypothyroidism, may mimic perimenopausal symptoms.鈥
Bloodwork will provide a more precise measurement of hormone levels and can determine if you have any underlying conditions, along with the best course of action for treatment if you do. Your doctor will likely do screenings for:
- Thyroid disorders
- Anemia
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Diabetes
- Cholesterol
- Kidney function
- Liver function
- Electrolytes
There is no need to spend money on pricey at-home tests that may cause you unnecessary stress with misleading results. By visiting your doctor, you can undergo a personalized assessment to get to the bottom of what鈥檚 causing your symptoms and a clearer picture of your overall health.