2024-03-26 23:00:00
Irregular periods, hot flashes, sleep problems… Are you experiencing the first symptoms that you think are linked to menopause? Here is everything you need to know about the hormonal assessments and blood and urine tests to be carried out to find out if this is the case or not.
The diagnosis of menopause is generally based on an absence of menstruation for a year in a woman of around fifty years old. Usually, there are no additional tests to be done..
However, after the age of 40 — and sometimes even before — some women complain of irregular cycles or the disappearance of their periods. Once the diagnosis of pregnancy has been ruled out, the question arises as to whether this period of amenorrhea (absence of period) is due to a simple transient hormonal imbalance or whether it is the beginning of menopause. A blood test to carry out hormonal measurements will then make it possible to decide. Explanations.
HCG, LH, FSH: what to read in the hormonal assessment
When the hormonal assessment arrives, the first thing the doctor will check is the presence or absence of HCG (or BETA-HCG) when there was any doubt about a possible pregnancy (rare at these ages).
He will then question the woman to find out when her last period was, in order to know if the period of amenorrhea is recent or old (several months). This will allow him to better interpret the hormonal results. Because the rates ofestradiol and FSH vary depending on the period of the cycle…
To remember : A low level of estradiol associated with a high level of FSH will allow it to confirm the diagnosis of menopause.
Finally, he will check the prolactin and the thyroid hormones if they have been requested – which is not often necessary – in order to ensure that all is well on this side.
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Menopause: œestrogen and progesterone fall, FSH and LH increase
Female hormones are made up of estrogen and progesterone, which are produced by the ovaries. These two hormones follow one another during hormonal cycles during the woman’s fertile period:
THE estrogen (estradiol) intervene during the first half of the cycle (12-14th day). This is the follicular phase. There progesterone occurs from ovulation until the next period. This is the luteal phase.
Estradiol and progesterone are under the control of two other hormones:
L’follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) which will stimulate the production of estrogen by the ovaries. L’luteinizing hormone (LH) which will stimulate the production of progesterone by the ovaries.
When menopause arrives, the ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone. Their levels therefore drop very significantly in the blood. As a result, the pituitary gland secretes large quantities of FSH and LH to try to stimulate the ovaries. So FSH and LH levels rise very significantly in the blood of women during menopause.
To know : Sometimes this hormonal change can have a positive impact, especially for women with endometriosis, but in general, women seek to combat this drop in levels.
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Estradiol and FSH: what levels allow the diagnosis of menopause?
It will therefore be this significant difference between low estrogen and progesterone levels and high pituitary hormones (LH and FSH) which will make it possible to confirm menopause.
The levels observed in blood samples are of the order of:
Estradiol: less than 50 nanograms per liter or 52 picograms per milliliter (and less than 0.18 nanomoles per liter).
Progesterone: less than 0.7 micrograms per liter (or 1.57 nanomoles per liter)
FSH : greater than 30 mIU per liter (often between 25 and 135 IU per liter).
LH : greater than 30 IU/l (generally 14 to 52 IU/L)
In any case, the simultaneous measurement of these four hormones is rarely requested when menopause is suspected. Generally, only estradiol and FSH are required.
In addition to these ovarian hormone measurements, it is possible to request other hormonal measurements in conjunction with each other in order to eliminate other possible diagnoses of amenorrhea:
β-HCG pour eliminate a pregnancy.
Prolactin for eliminate a pituitary adenoma.
Thyroid hormones for eliminate hypothyroidism.
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Urine menopause tests to carry out at home: good or bad idea?
It now exists menopause urine self-tests to carry out at home. They make it possible to detect FSH levels above 25 mIU/ml in urine. They can be done at any time of the day, but it is best to perform in the morning, because the urine is more concentrated. However, these results are not 100% reliable because the concentration of FSH in urine is very variable. This is why each box contains two tests which must be positive to be able to confirm that menopause has already been established.
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Sleep disorders, hot flashes: what natural solutions to avoid hormonal treatments?
Whether you are in peri-menopause or menopause, if you suffer from certain symptoms, know not only that they are generally temporary but also that there are many natural solutions available to you to limit them. Among the measures known to be effective, avoid foods that promote hot flashes such as spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine, promote regular physical activity, yoga, relaxation or try acupuncture. Chiropractic and mindfulness meditation are also renowned. Evening primrose oil is also known to limit hot flashes. Vaginal lubricants really help to regain a peaceful sex life in cases of vaginal dryness and probiotics help against cystitis.
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Finally, for those who have sleep problems, do not hesitate to consult our video to create a remedy with essential oils to promote sleep: VIDEO LINK
Please note: It is recommended not to start hormonal treatment without having carefully considered this decision (see our alerts on hormone replacement therapy).
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Under no circumstances can the information and advice offered on the Alternative Santé site replace a consultation or diagnosis made by a doctor or health professional, the only ones able to adequately assess your state of health.
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