Menopause Blood Test, from our experts to you.
Dr Sam Rodgers MBBS, MRCGPChief Medical Officer
What is menopause?
Menopause is a natural stage of life, which is usually diagnosed when you haven’t had a period for over a year. It’s triggered by a drop in your oestrogen and progesterone levels and means you can no longer get pregnant naturally.
Typically, menopause starts between the ages of 45 and 55, and most women go through a transition phase known as perimenopause before it begins. Some women’s periods stop completely before they’re 45, and this is known as early (or premature) menopause.
What can I learn from a menopause test?
Our Menopause Blood Test checks whether you’re likely to be going through menopause by measuring your levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), and oestradiol.
This is especially useful for women under 45, or women with atypical symptoms, where there may be uncertainty.
Our test also includes thyroid hormone levels to help rule out thyroid conditions, which can have similar symptoms to menopause and become more common with increasing age.
When should I take a menopause test?
If you're aged 45–55, menopause is usually diagnosed based on symptoms alone. However, a blood test is useful to support a diagnosis of menopause when there is uncertainty, or when symptoms have developed earlier than expected. For example, if you're under 45 and suspect you're going through early menopause, this test can help you check if this is likely.
Limitations of the test
What's Included?
How to prepare for your test
Special Instructions
Prepare for your Menopause Blood Test by following these instructions. Please take your sample before 10am. Take this test two to five days after the start of your period, ideally on day three. It can be taken any time if you do not have periods. Hormonal contraception can affect this test, taking a break from this and using barrier contraception will give more accurate results. If you use hormone gels, pessaries, patches, or tablets, we strongly recommend selecting a venous sample to minimise contamination sometimes seen with finger-prick tests. Otherwise, administer any hormone supplements using gloves, and make sure your fingers have not been in contact with hormone supplements for at least four weeks before taking the test. Hormones can be absorbed deep within the skin even after minimal contact and remain there for weeks despite vigorous handwashing. Do not take biotin supplements for two days before this test, discuss this with your doctor if it is prescribed.
Frequently asked questions
What are the symptoms of menopause?
Symptoms of menopause include hot flushes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping, reduced sex drive, and mood changes like anxiety and depression.
Can a blood test tell if I’m perimenopausal?
By measuring LH, FSH, and oestradiol, our menopause test can give an indication of perimenopause, but it can’t be diagnosed through a blood test alone. Your doctor will interpret your Menopause Blood Test results alongside your family and medical history, and your symptoms, to give you personalised advice and any next steps.
How long does menopause last?
On average, menopause symptoms can last for around four years from your last period. But the experience is unique for every woman, and it’s reported that one in ten women experience symptoms for up to 12 years.
Why might I have an early menopause?
Early menopause is when a woman’s periods stop before the age of 45, and there is often no clear cause. Sometimes treatment or surgery for a health condition such as breast cancer may lead to early menopause. Genetics and lifestyle factors like smoking can also play a part.
Can I take a menopause test at home?
Yes, you can take your test at home using our easy menopause test kit. This includes everything you need including a pre-paid return envelope for your sample.
Top tips for healthy menopause
During menopause, hormones fluctuate, and you may start to experience symptoms that affect your daily life. To relieve some of these symptoms, there are simple lifestyle changes you can make, such as getting plenty of rest and eating menopause-friendly foods.
It’s also important to look after your mental wellbeing. Sharing advice and personal experiences with family, friends, and colleagues going through the same experience can help. And there are many ways to support others going through menopause.
Menopause vs thyroid — how to spot the difference?
There are many similarities between the symptoms of thyroid conditions and menopause. The only way to tell them apart with certainty is with a blood test. This is why our Menopause Blood Test checks both your thyroid and reproductive hormones. Measuring your thyroid hormones can rule out or indicate that a thyroid condition may be causing your symptoms rather than menopause.
Menopause vs perimenopause
Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels, while perimenopause (which means around menopause) is the transition phase before you reach menopause. Perimenopause can last from a few months to up to ten years, and during this time, reproductive hormones begin to fluctuate and you may experience symptoms like irregular periods.
Testosterone and the menopause
Testosterone in women is converted into oestrogen — the primary female sex hormone. And according to the British Menopause Society (BMS), testosterone deficiency can lead to heightened menopausal symptoms. Too little or too much testosterone can affect your overall health. If you’d like to check your testosterone level alongside key female hormones, our Female Hormone Blood Test can help.
Where can I get support for menopause?
Whether you’re perimenopausal, menopausal, or post-menopausal, it can be a challenging time. But you’re not alone. There are many charities offering information and support, such as Women’s Health Concern, Menopause Matters, Menopause Café, and Queermenopause for people who identify as LGBTQ+.