Testing for Perimenopause

Perimenopause strikes each woman differently. Symptoms and their severity may often vary from woman to woman. The time perimenopause starts and its duration or length may vary as well. Some women find themselves in perimenopause during their thirties, while others find that they can still give birth at the age of 50.

Because the stage hits women so differently, it’s very important for a woman to make sure whether or not she is already perimenopausal. This is a hard time for any woman, and its symptoms are difficult as well. Proper diagnosis helps a lot in treating the various ailments linked with perimenopause. Some of the symptoms of perimenopause may be the symptom of another ailment. For example, the symptoms of PMS and the symptoms of perimenopause are pretty similar, but treatment is different depending on the real problem. Misdiagnosis is likely to make problems worse.

Unfortunately, no single test can confirm the onset of perimenopause. The following tests are just measures taken to rule out possible illnesses and medical conditions which are similar to perimenopause.

• Pregnancy test. This is the first test prescribed. It eliminates the possibility of pregnancy. Many of the symptoms of perimenopause are also the symptoms of pregnancy.
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test. This tests bone and mineral density at the spine and hip. These areas are said to influence estrogen and progesterone production. The FSH test is also given to older women to check if they have finally reached menopause. FSH levels are high in menopausal women, and the levels start and continue increasing during perimenopause. If your FSH level is higher than normal, then you may be perimenopausal.
• Estrogen test. This can be done via a simple blood test. It checks to see if estrogen levels are lower than normal. If it is, this may indicate perimenopause, or even possible ovarian failure (aka early menopause).
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test. Thyroid disorders result in female infertility problems whose symptoms are similar to perimenopause.
• Transvaginal ultrasound. This checks for abnormal growths or polyps that may cause excessive bleeding during your menstrual period.
• Endometrial biopsy. This procedure extracts part of the endometrium or the uterus to check for cancer.
• Mammogram. Sometimes required by a doctor before any treatment is prescribed to you, it checks to see if you have lumps in the breast area. Breast tenderness is usually also a symptom of perimenopause.
• Blood pressure check. This is to rule out high blood pressure or low blood pressure.

After ruling out the possible other disorders and only perimenopause is left, it is then and there that doctors can be rather certain that you’re perimenopausal. Of course, doctors won’t need all of these tests. Don’t be worried that they’ll run you through each and every one; just the ones that they need to eliminate the other possible reasons for your symptoms.