women s health issues
Menopause
Diagnosis of Menopause
Recent pattern of menstrual periods Rarely, blood tests to measure hormone levels In most women, menopause can be diagnosed after 1 full year without menstrual periods. Thus, laboratory tests are usually not needed. Timing of cessation of menopause is described based on age, as follows: Premature menopause: 39 years old or younger Early menopause: 40 to 45 years old Menopause (usual age range): 46 years old or older If menopause occurs before age 45 or if the menstrual pattern is not clear-cut (for example, periods stop for several months but then bleeding occurs), tests may be done to check for disorders that can disrupt menstrual periods. If blood tests are needed to confirm menopause, the tests measure levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which stimulates the ovaries to produceestrogenandprogesterone. Sometimes doctors do a pelvic examination to check for typical changes in the vagina, which support the diagnosis of menopause, or as part of the evaluation if a woman has uncomfortable symptoms (such as vaginal dryness or pain during sexual intercourse). 