How Is Menopause Diagnosed?

There are several ways your doctor can diagnose menopause (更年期, 停經). The first is to discuss your menstrual cycle over the last year. You may be postmenopausal, if you have gone a whole year without a period. Under certain circumstances, your healthcare provider may recommend blood tests to check your level of:^[1]

1. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestrogen (oestradiol): Your FSH level increases and oestradiol levels decrease as menopause occurs. This test can be misleading during the beginning of menopause, when your body is transitioning, and your hormone levels fluctuate up and down.
2. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): An underactive thyroid can cause symptoms similar to those of menopause.

For many women, a blood test is not necessary. Talk to your doctor if you have been experiencing symptoms of menopause and irregular periods. They may be able to diagnose menopause after your conversation. For more information, read our definitive guide here on menopause.

1.Mayo Clinic Staff. ‘Menopause: Symptoms & Causes’. Mayo Clinic. Available at: <https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397>