Ways to Confirm Menopause

One of the first questions you may ask is, “How do I know when I am truly experiencing menopause?” Unfortunately there is no simple answer as there is no simple way to know.

STEP 1: The first approach is to confirm the common symptoms of menopause, such as changes in your menstrual periods and onset of hot flashes. But beware: These don’t happen to everyone and every woman is different. This is why a consultation with a doctor who is experienced in recognizing and treating menopause in all stages is so important.

STEP 2: After the consultation, the next step is a blood test. The traditional test is the FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone). When the FSH is consistently elevated to 30 mIU/mL or higher, and you have not had a period for a year, it is menopause. It is important to know that a single FSH value may not be enough to confirm menopause. Often a second FSH is needed.

STEP 3: A second blood test, Inhibin B is a more sensitive test and is of value in women who are not having the classic symptoms of menopause. It is especially of value in perimenopausal women.