Do You Need a Test to Tell You That You’re Menopausal?

The narrow white piece of pen-shaped plastic, the blue line indicators.

Even those who will never use one recognize that most ubiquitous medical machine: thehome pregnancy test.

Now, what if we had something similarly clear and simple to determine if we were inmenopause?

(Actor Gabrielle Unionrecently told Allurethat she has been in the menopause transition for 14 years.)

For those on birth control, though, bloodwork is not reliable or even necessary.

So, as ovaries become less capable of making estrogen, FSH levels go up.

If youve gone a year without a period, then you know youre in menopause.

(She also consults for Clearblue.)

And its not going to tell you that youre not going to get another period.

But there is value in telling people, ballpark, where they are in the process.

What she doesnt require is any hormone testing or bloodwork before prescribing is hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

For over 95% of my patients, the benefits of hormone therapy outweigh any risks, she adds.

Faubion agrees: No hormone testing is required prior to initiation of hormone therapy by any guideline.

Were still dealing with the dark ages as far as menopause education goes, she says.

But are they really worth it?

Information is power, but thats only true if you know how to use it.

Minkin says you use it as a conversation starter with your doctor.

And to be able to take the reins of your own health.

I think thats probably worth $20 to a lot of patients.