Overview
A healthcare provider may determine that you’re transitioning to menopause based on a physical exam and your symptoms, age and medical history.
But you don’t always need to see a healthcare provider for an official diagnosis. Many people notice the changes in their bodies but don’t have severe symptoms. Other people end up contacting their healthcare provider because symptoms become intolerable and uncomfortable.
What tests can diagnose perimenopause?
Hormone testing isn’t necessary to diagnose perimenopause. Hormone levels fluctuate so much that the tests aren’t reliable.
But certain hormone tests can tell your provider you’re in perimenopause. For example, testing your FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) level is one to see if perimenopause is beginning. FSH is a hormone your pituitary gland produces. It stimulates your ovaries to release an egg during ovulation.
A consistently high level of FSH can indicate you’re getting near menopause. But FSH tests can be misleading because during perimenopause, your hormones rise and fall erratically. Certain medications and health conditions interfere with hormone levels and will affect the results of any hormone tests.
There aren’t any imaging tests that can confirm perimenopause, but your provider may order tests to rule out other conditions.
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Prevention
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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