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Menopause is a normal part of life. It is one step in a long, slow process of reproductive
aging. This process begins silently somewhere around the age 40 of when periods may
start to be less regular. Most women experience the menopause at the same age as
their mother and sisters, which indicates an hereditary factor.
The only other known factor that influences the onset of the menopause is smoking.
Smokers, even former smokers, may start two years earlier with the menopause. At this
moment there is no scientifical evidence for the relation between contraceptives (such
as birth control pills) and the time the menopause begins. Some types of surgery or
chemo therapy can bring on menopause. For instance, removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) will make your periods stop. When both ovaries are removed
(oophorectomy), menopause symptoms may start right away, no matter what your age.
Menopause, a normal and natural event, is the time at which the last menstruation has
taken place. It is usually confirmed when the normal period has not occurred for 12
months in a row (with other causes for this change ruled out).
There is a transition period before menopause called perimenopause, when your body
is beginning to produce less of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. These
hormones are important for keeping the vagina and uterus healthy as well as for normal
menstrual cycles and for successful pregnancy.
Estrogen also helps to keep bones healthy. It helps women keep good cholesterol levels
in their blood. Menopause starts when your body's level of the hormone estrogen falls
permanently to very low levels and your menstrual periods stop for good.
In the transition period before menopause (perimenopause), your body is beginning to
produce less of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. During this time,
women may experience the following physical complaints:
- hot flashes
- loss of hair
- sleep disturbances
- mouth sores
- rapid heart beats
- vaginal dryness
- sudden or frequent urinating
- thinning of bones (osteoporosis)
- increased growth of body hair
- cold chills
- excessive sweating (also at night)
- swollen gums (periodontitis)
In addition to the physical complaints, most women also suffer from psychological
complaints, such as:
- irritability
- depression
- nervous tension
- decreased libido
- anxiety
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FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) is a protein, which is produced by the pituitary gland
and acts on the reproductive organs. It’s main function is to stimulate the production of
ovarian follicles (eggs) and estradiol (another reproductive hormone) during the first half
of the menstrual cycle.
Normally, FSH is present in the blood and urine varying in concentration with the stage
of the menstrual cycle. The concentration of FSH in urine correlates with FSH levels
present in blood.
Women may experience changes in their menstrual cycle several years before
the menopause. The ovary has a limited number of eggs, and these begin to run out. The
pituitary is stimulated to make more FSH in an attempt to cause the remaining eggs to
mature. Consequently, FSH levels rise, and may help determine whether a woman is
entering the menopause.
When a woman’s FSH rises above a consistent level of 25 mIU/mL, it is generally
accepted that she has reached the menopause. However, a single FSH measurement
can be misleading in the perimenopause, since estrogen production doesn’t fall steadily
day to day. Instead, estrogen and FSH levels fluctuate fairly high to fairly low. Therefore,
more than one high FSH measurement is needed to confirm menopause.
Hormonal balance during (a) normal menstrual cycle and during (b) menopause
As the body ages and produces less estrogen, FSH levels increase as the hormone
tries to stimulate the ovaries to produce a healthy egg. The Menopause HomeTest detects FSH and can tell you whether your body is producing excess FSH as
a result of low estrogen levels, signalling that your body is the in the transition period
before menopause (perimenopause).
The Menopause HomeTest uses a combination of antibodies to selectively
detect elevated levels of FSH. The test is performed by urinating on the absorbent tip or
immersing the tip in urine, and obtaining the result from the two colored lines.
It is recommended to perform the test using first morning urine as it contains the most
hormone and will give the most accurate result. The Menopause HomeTest contains two similar test cassettes.
If you are still menstruating, the first test should be performed during the first week of
the menstrual cycle (2-7 days after the first day of menstruation). Consequently, the
second test should be performed one week later.
In case periods do not occur on regular basis anymore, the test may be performed at
any time during the month and should be repeated with the second test one week later.
The Menopause HomeTest is especially convenient for women who are
experiencing (peri-)menopausal symptoms and want to determine the cause of these
symptoms.
Women who know that they are menopausal, can take appropriate steps to keep the
body healthy and avoid health risks associated with menopause, which could include
osteoporosis, increased blood pressure and cholesterol, and increased risk of heart
disease.
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Oral contraceptives (such as birth control pills), hormone replacement therapy,
and estrogen supplements may affect FSH levels and cause false negative results. Taking
contraceptives should be discontinued for at least 1 month before performing the
Menopause HomeTest.
This test must not be used to determine fertility. Contraception decisions should not be
made based on these test results.
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how
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We will send you the home tests by priority mail in a neutral discrete
envelope (fitting in standard letter-boxes) to ensure your privacy.
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