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  • Menopause is often referred to as the change of life for women. The process of menopause starts with perimenopausal changes such as cycle disturbances, hot flashes, insomnia, fatigue and mood swings. Testing for menopause depends on your hormonal changes at the time of the test.

    Physician Testing

    A blood or urine test of your follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level will help to determine if you are in menopause. If the FSH level is high it can mean you are in menopause. Because menopause is a process, you can actually go in and out of it. Some gynecologists are recommending taking a hormonal profile test along with the FSH test. Blood FSH tests are more accurate. If you are on birth control pills or Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) that will affect the testing of FSH. If you test during a period of irregular periods, your FSH level will fluctuate. Have your estrogen, testosterone and progesterone levels checked at mid-cycle. This will also help to check your hormonal changes. Low hormonal test levels determine the start of menopause. Having an internal pelvic exam also can determine any changes taking place.

    Self Testing

    Self-tests are available. If tested and used on a regular basis, it will give you a more accurate determination of menopause. Saliva tests are available but are not as accurate. The saliva test is good for determining if changes are occurring. The FSH and the saliva tests need to be done on specific dates of your cycle. Read the directions before testing. With self-testing, you send off the specimen to a laboratory, and the lab measures estrogen levels. If your estrogen is lower than 30, it usually means you are in menopause. If you have not experienced a period for 12 months in a row, you know you are in menopause. Remember that even though your periods might not be consistent, you still can get pregnant.

    Symptoms of menopause

    Menopausal symptoms range from weight gain to hair loss. Be prepared for the power surges, otherwise known as hot flashes, night sweats, rapid heartbeat, irritability, trouble sleeping, libido loss, dry vagina, fatigue, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, stomach problems, depression to name a few. Remember some of these symptoms also could be signs of other health problems. Ask your health practitioner before you decide if it is menopause.

    Source:

    Women to women

    Medicine Net

    Epigee

    Resource:

    Wed Md

    Power-surge

    National Institute on Aging

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