How a Perimenopause Test Can Help You Choose the Best Treatment for Your Symptoms

Learn how a perimenopause test can help you diagnose perimenopause and choose the best treatment for your symptoms, such as hormone therapy, antidepressants, gabapentin, or lifestyle changes.

Perimenopause is the phase before menopause, when your ovaries gradually produce less estrogen and your periods become irregular. Perimenopause can last from a few months to several years, and it can cause various symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and low libido. Perimenopause can also affect your bone health, heart health, and fertility.

If you are experiencing perimenopause symptoms, you may wonder if there is a way to confirm your diagnosis and find the best treatment for your condition. One option is to take a perimenopause test, which is a blood test that measures your levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol, two hormones that change during perimenopause. A perimenopause test can help you determine if you are in perimenopause and what stage you are in. It can also help you choose the best treatment for your symptoms, depending on your personal and medical history, your preferences, and your goals.

In this article, we will explain how a perimenopause test works, what the results mean, and what the pros and cons of different treatment options are. We will also give you some tips on how to talk to your doctor about perimenopause and how to manage your symptoms with lifestyle changes.

How does a perimenopause test work?

A perimenopause test is a blood test that can measure your levels of FSH and estradiol. FSH is a hormone that stimulates your ovaries to produce eggs and estrogen. Estradiol is the main form of estrogen in your body. During perimenopause, your FSH levels tend to rise and your estradiol levels tend to fluctuate and decline. By measuring these hormones, a perimenopause test can help you confirm if you are in perimenopause and what stage you are in.

To take a perimenopause test, you need to have a blood sample taken from your arm. The best time to take the test is on the third day of your menstrual cycle, if you still have regular periods. If you have irregular periods, you can take the test at any time, but you may need to repeat it to get a more accurate result. The test results are usually available within a few days.

What do the perimenopause test results mean?

The perimenopause test results will show your levels of FSH and estradiol in international units per liter (IU/L) or picograms per milliliter (pg/mL). The normal ranges for these hormones vary depending on your age and the stage of your menstrual cycle. However, as a general guide, the following table shows the typical levels of FSH and estradiol for women in different stages of perimenopause and menopause:

Stage	FSH (IU/L)	Estradiol (pg/mL)
Pre-perimenopause	<10	>30
Early perimenopause	10-20	15-30
Late perimenopause	>20	<15
Menopause	>40	<10

If your FSH level is higher than 10 IU/L and your estradiol level is lower than 30 pg/mL, you are likely in perimenopause. If your FSH level is higher than 40 IU/L and your estradiol level is lower than 10 pg/mL, you are likely in menopause. However, these levels are not definitive and may vary from month to month. Therefore, you should not rely on a single perimenopause test to diagnose your condition. You should also consider your symptoms, your age, your menstrual history, and your family history. Your doctor can help you interpret your test results and confirm your diagnosis.

What are the treatment options for perimenopause symptoms?

If you are diagnosed with perimenopause and you have bothersome symptoms, you may want to consider treatment options to relieve your discomfort and improve your quality of life. There are different types of treatment available, such as hormone therapy, antidepressants, gabapentin, or lifestyle changes. Each treatment has its own benefits and risks, and you should weigh them carefully before making a decision. You should also consult your doctor and discuss your options and the possible side effects.

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for perimenopause symptoms, especially hot flashes and night sweats. Hormone therapy involves taking estrogen, either alone or in combination with progesterone or progestin (synthetic progesterone). Estrogen can help restore the hormonal balance in your body and reduce the severity and frequency of your symptoms. It can also help prevent bone loss and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Hormone therapy can be administered in different ways, such as pills, patches, gels, creams, sprays, rings, or pellets. The dose and the duration of hormone therapy depend on your symptoms, your medical history, and your preferences. Your doctor can help you choose the best form and dose of hormone therapy for you.

The pros of hormone therapy are:

• It can effectively relieve hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and other perimenopause symptoms.
• It can help prevent bone loss and reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
• It can improve your sleep quality, your sexual function, and your overall well-being.

The cons of hormone therapy are:

• It can increase the risk of certain serious conditions, such as blood clots, stroke, heart disease, breast cancer, and endometrial cancer (if you take estrogen alone and you still have your uterus).
• It can cause side effects, such as bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, nausea, spotting, and weight gain.
• It can interact with other medications, such as blood thinners, anticonvulsants, and antibiotics.
• It can mask the signs of menopause, making it harder to know when you have reached it.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are another option for perimenopause symptoms, especially if you have low mood, anxiety, or depression. Antidepressants are medications that affect the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These chemicals are involved in regulating your mood, your temperature, and your pain perception. By increasing or decreasing these chemicals, antidepressants can help improve your mood and reduce your hot flashes and night sweats.

Antidepressants can be classified into different types, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The most commonly used antidepressants for perimenopause symptoms are SSRIs and SNRIs, such as paroxetine, venlafaxine, fluoxetine, and citalopram. These antidepressants have fewer side effects and interactions than other types of antidepressants.

The pros of antidepressants are:

• They can help reduce hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, anxiety, and depression.
• They can be used by women who cannot or do not want to take hormone therapy, such as those who have a history of breast cancer, blood clots, or liver disease.
• They can be taken at low doses and for a short period of time, minimizing the risk of side effects and withdrawal symptoms.

The cons of antidepressants are:

• They may not be as effective as hormone therapy for perimenopause symptoms, especially for severe hot flashes and night sweats.
• They can cause side effects, such as nausea, drowsiness, insomnia, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and dry mouth.
• They can interact with other medications, such as blood thinners, antihistamines, and painkillers.
• They can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as headache, dizziness, irritability, and anxiety, if you stop taking them abruptly.

Gabapentin

Gabapentin is another alternative for perimenopause symptoms, especially if you have hot flashes, night sweats, or migraines. Gabapentin is a medication that is usually used to treat seizures and nerve pain, but it has also been shown to help reduce hot flashes and night sweats. The exact mechanism of how gabapentin works for perimenopause symptoms is not clear, but it may involve affecting the activity of certain nerves and chemicals in your brain that regulate your temperature and pain perception.

Gabapentin can be taken as a pill, usually at night, and the dose can be adjusted according to your symptoms and response. Your doctor can help you determine the best dose and duration of gabapentin for you.

The pros of gabapentin are:

• It can help reduce hot flashes, night sweats, and migraines.
• It can be used by women who cannot or do not want to take hormone therapy or antidepressants, such as those who have a history of breast cancer, blood clots, liver disease, or mood disorders.
• It can be taken at low doses and for a short period of time, minimizing the risk of side effects and dependence.

The cons of gabapentin are:

• It may not be as effective as hormone therapy or antidepressants for perimenopause symptoms, especially for severe hot flashes and night sweats.
• It can cause side effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, weight gain, and swelling of the hands and feet.
• It can interact with other medications, such as antacids, opioids, and antihistamines.
• It can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and tremors, if you stop taking it abruptly.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes are another option for perimenopause symptoms, especially if you have mild or moderate symptoms, or if you want to complement your medical treatment. Lifestyle changes involve making some adjustments to your diet, exercise, sleep, stress, and habits to improve your health and well-being. Lifestyle changes can help you cope with perimenopause symptoms and prevent or reduce the risk of complications, such as osteoporosis, heart disease, and diabetes.

Some of the lifestyle changes that can help you manage your perimenopause symptoms are:

• Eat a balanced diet: A healthy diet can help you maintain a healthy weight, provide you with essential nutrients, and lower your cholesterol and blood sugar levels. You should eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. You should also limit your intake of sugar, salt, caffeine, and alcohol, as they can worsen your symptoms and increase your risk of health problems.
• Exercise regularly: Physical activity can help you strengthen your bones and muscles, improve your mood and sleep, and reduce your risk of chronic diseases. You should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and two sessions of strength training per week. You should also do some flexibility and balance exercises, such as yoga, tai chi, or pilates, to improve your posture and prevent falls and injuries.
• Drink plenty of water: Hydration can help you prevent dehydration, flush out toxins, and keep your skin and mucous membranes moist. It can also help you reduce bloating, headaches, and constipation. You should drink at least eight glasses of water per day, and avoid drinks that can dehydrate you, such as coffee, tea, and soda.
• Quit smoking: Smoking can worsen your perimenopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and insomnia. It can also increase your risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Quitting smoking can improve your health and quality of life. You can ask your doctor for help and support to quit smoking, or use some nicotine replacement products, such as patches, gums, or lozenges, to ease your withdrawal symptoms.
• Manage stress: Stress can trigger or aggravate your perimenopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, mood swings, and anxiety. It can also affect your immune system, blood pressure, and blood sugar. Managing stress can help you cope with perimenopause and improve your mental and physical health. You can try some relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, massage, or aromatherapy, to calm your mind and body. You can also seek professional help if you feel overwhelmed or depressed.

The pros of lifestyle changes are:

• They can help you relieve your perimenopause symptoms and improve your overall health and well-being.
• They can help you prevent or reduce the risk of complications, such as osteoporosis, heart disease, and diabetes.
• They can be done by anyone, regardless of their medical history, preferences, or goals.
• They have no or minimal side effects or risks.

The cons of lifestyle changes are:

• They may not be enough to treat severe or persistent perimenopause symptoms, and you may need to combine them with other treatments, such as hormone therapy, antidepressants, or gabapentin.
• They may require some time, effort, and motivation to implement and maintain, and you may face some challenges or barriers along the way.
• They may not have immediate or noticeable effects, and you may need to be patient and consistent to see the results.

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Perimenopause and Treatment Options

If you think you are in perimenopause and you have symptoms that bother you, you should talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment options. Your doctor or healthcare provider can help you diagnose perimenopause, explain the pros and cons of different treatment options, and prescribe the best treatment for you. Here are some tips on how to talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about perimenopause and treatment options:

• Prepare for your appointment: Before your appointment, you should write down your symptoms, your menstrual history, your family history, your medical history, and your medications and supplements. You should also write down any questions or concerns you have about perimenopause and treatment options. You should bring your symptom tracker, your perimenopause test results, and any other relevant documents or records to your appointment. You should also ask a friend or a family member to accompany you, if possible, to provide support and help you remember the information.
• Be honest and open: During your appointment, you should be honest and open about your symptoms, your feelings, and your expectations. You should not be embarrassed or ashamed to talk about your perimenopause symptoms, as they are normal and common among women your age. You should also not be afraid or hesitant to ask questions or express your concerns about perimenopause and treatment options. Your doctor or healthcare provider is there to help you and provide you with the best care possible.
• Listen and learn: During your appointment, you should listen and learn from your doctor or healthcare provider. You should pay attention to the information and advice they give you about perimenopause and treatment options. You should also ask for clarification or repetition if you do not understand or remember something. You should take notes or record the conversation, if allowed, to review later. You should also ask for written materials or resources, such as brochures, websites, or books, to learn more about perimenopause and treatment options.
• Discuss and decide: During your appointment, you should discuss and decide with your doctor or healthcare provider about your treatment options. You should weigh the benefits and risks of each treatment option, and consider your personal and medical history, your preferences, and your goals. You should also ask about the cost, availability, and effectiveness of each treatment option, and how to use them safely and correctly. You should also ask about the follow-up and monitoring plan, and what to expect from the treatment. You should choose the treatment option that best suits your needs and situation, and that you feel comfortable and confident with.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about perimenopause testing and treatment:

Question: How accurate is a perimenopause test?

Answer: A perimenopause test is not 100% accurate, as your hormone levels can fluctuate throughout your menstrual cycle and vary by individual. You may need to repeat the test to get a more reliable result. You should also consider your symptoms, your age, your menstrual history, and your family history to diagnose perimenopause. Your doctor can help you interpret your test results and confirm your diagnosis.

Question: How much does a perimenopause test cost?

Answer: The cost of a perimenopause test can vary depending on where you get the test done, what type of test you choose, and whether you have insurance or not. The average cost of a perimenopause test in the US is around $100, but it can range from $49 to $149. You may need to check with your insurance company before ordering a test to find out if you qualify for coverage and reimbursement.

Summary

A perimenopause test is a blood test that can help you determine if you are in perimenopause and what stage you are in. It can also help you choose the best treatment for your symptoms, depending on your personal and medical history, your preferences, and your goals. There are different types of treatment available for perimenopause symptoms, such as hormone therapy, antidepressants, gabapentin, or lifestyle changes. Each treatment has its own benefits and risks, and you should weigh them carefully before making a decision. You should also consult your doctor or healthcare provider and discuss your options and the possible side effects.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information provided is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. You should consult your doctor before ordering a perimenopause test or making any decisions about your health or treatment.