A perimenopause test is a blood test that can help you determine if you are in the transition phase before menopause. Learn how to read your perimenopause test results and what they mean for your health and treatment.
Perimenopause is the stage before menopause, when your ovaries start to produce less estrogen and your periods become irregular. Perimenopause can last for several years and cause various symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and reduced libido.
A perimenopause test is a blood test that can measure your levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol, a form of estrogen. FSH and estradiol levels change as you approach menopause. FSH levels tend to rise and estradiol levels tend to drop as your ovarian function declines. A perimenopause test can help you confirm if you are in perimenopause and plan your treatment options and lifestyle changes to manage your symptoms and prevent potential health risks.
But how do you read your perimenopause test results, and what do they mean? In this article, you’ll learn how to read your perimenopause test results, what the normal and abnormal ranges are, and what to do next.
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How to Read Your Perimenopause Test Results
Your doctor will order a blood test to measure your FSH and estradiol levels. You may need to get tested more than once, as your hormone levels can fluctuate throughout your menstrual cycle and vary by individual. Your doctor will also consider your age, menstrual history, and symptoms to diagnose perimenopause.
Your perimenopause test results will show your FSH and estradiol levels in international units per liter (IU/L) and picograms per milliliter (pg/mL), respectively. You can compare your results with the normal ranges for different stages of your reproductive life. Here are some examples of normal ranges for FSH and estradiol levels, according to the Mayo Clinic:
- Before puberty: FSH: 0 to 4.0 IU/L; Estradiol: 6 to 27 pg/mL
- During puberty: FSH: 0.3 to 10.0 IU/L; Estradiol: 25 to 75 pg/mL
- While still menstruating: FSH: 4.7 to 21.5 IU/L; Estradiol: 25 to 75 pg/mL
- After menopause: FSH: 25.8 to 134.8 IU/L; Estradiol: 0 to 30 pg/mL
Different labs may use different ranges, so make sure to ask your doctor for the specific range used by the lab that performed your test. Your doctor will interpret your results and explain what they mean for you.
What Do Your Perimenopause Test Results Mean?
Your perimenopause test results can indicate whether you are in perimenopause or not, and how close you are to menopause. Here are some possible scenarios and what they mean:
- High FSH and low estradiol: This means that your ovaries are producing less estrogen and your brain is trying to stimulate them by releasing more FSH. This is a sign that you are in perimenopause or menopause. If your FSH level is above 30 IU/L and you have not had a period for a year, you are in menopause.
- Normal FSH and estradiol: This means that your ovaries are still functioning normally and producing enough estrogen. This is a sign that you are not in perimenopause or menopause. However, if you have symptoms of perimenopause, you may need to get tested again, as your hormone levels can change over time.
- Low FSH and high estradiol: This means that your ovaries are producing too much estrogen and your brain is trying to suppress them by releasing less FSH. This is not a sign of perimenopause or menopause, but it may indicate other conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), ovarian tumors, or estrogen therapy.
What to Do After Your Perimenopause Test
After you get your perimenopause test results, your doctor will discuss your treatment options and lifestyle changes. You may not need any treatment if your symptoms are mild or manageable. But your doctor may recommend certain medications or hormone therapies to deal with symptoms that can affect your quality of life or health. Some of the common treatments for perimenopause symptoms are:
- Hormone therapy: This involves taking estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progestin to replace the hormones that your ovaries are no longer producing. Hormone therapy can help relieve hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and prevent bone loss. However, hormone therapy also has some risks and side effects, such as increased risk of blood clots, stroke, breast cancer, and heart disease. You should talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy and use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.
- Vaginal estrogen: This involves applying estrogen directly to the vagina using a cream, tablet, or ring. This can help relieve vaginal dryness, discomfort, and urinary problems. Vaginal estrogen has fewer risks and side effects than systemic hormone therapy, as it releases only a small amount of estrogen into the bloodstream.
- Antidepressants: This involves taking medications that affect the brain chemicals that regulate mood and temperature. Antidepressants can help reduce hot flashes, as well as depression and anxiety that may accompany perimenopause. Some of the common antidepressants used for perimenopause are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
- Other medications: This involves taking medications that can help with specific symptoms or conditions related to perimenopause. For example, you may take birth control pills to regulate your periods, reduce bleeding, and prevent pregnancy. You may also take bisphosphonates to prevent bone loss, or gabapentin to reduce hot flashes and migraines.
In addition to medications and hormone therapies, you can also make some lifestyle changes to ease your perimenopause symptoms and promote your health and well-being. Some of the lifestyle changes that can help you cope with perimenopause are:
- Exercise regularly: Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight, strengthen your bones and muscles, improve your mood and sleep, and reduce your risk of chronic diseases. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and two sessions of strength training per week.
- Eat a balanced diet: A nutritious diet can help you meet your daily needs of calcium, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients. It can also help you prevent weight gain, lower your cholesterol, and reduce your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Avoid excess sugar, salt, and processed foods.
- 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. Drink at least eight glasses of water per day, and avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate you and worsen your symptoms.
- 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. Ask your doctor for help and support to quit smoking.
- 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. Try some relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or massage. Seek professional help if you feel overwhelmed or depressed.
Summary
A perimenopause test is a blood test that can measure your levels of FSH and estradiol, two hormones that change as you approach menopause. A perimenopause test can help you confirm if you are in perimenopause and plan your treatment options and lifestyle changes to manage your symptoms and prevent potential health risks.
To read your perimenopause test results, you need to compare your FSH and estradiol levels with the normal ranges for different stages of your reproductive life. High FSH and low estradiol levels indicate that you are in perimenopause or menopause. Normal FSH and estradiol levels indicate that you are not in perimenopause or menopause. Low FSH and high estradiol levels indicate that you may have other conditions that affect your hormone levels.
After you get your perimenopause test results, your doctor will discuss your treatment options and lifestyle changes. You may need medications or hormone therapies to deal with your symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood swings. You can also make some lifestyle changes to ease your symptoms and promote your health and well-being, such as exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, quitting smoking, and managing stress.
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.