Changes in hormone levels are more obvious for women during menopause, usually beginning in the late 40s and early 50s.
Menopause is a natural process occurring when the ovaries stop producing eggs, which marks the end of fertility. Before menopause (perimenopause), the menstrual cycle gradually changes before menstruation stops completely.
A menopause profile can help women understand many conditions that can develop before or after menopause, such as thyroid disease and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
A Menopause profile test checks for many of the most vital female hormones to inform your doctor of their current levels. This simple blood test can check for hormonal imbalances. Hormone levels higher or lower than normal can cause severe health issues.
Your hormone levels can tell your doctor everything about your fertility to determine the cause of fatigue and unexplained weight gain and diagnose issues early. Women over 40 need menopause profile testing because hormones undergo major changes during this period.
The best time for menopause profiling is day three of your cycle (day one of your cycle is the first day of bleeding) because it ensures the accuracy of your result.
If your periods are irregular, it may be best to wait until you have your period to get the most insight from the test.
If you have no periods, you can undergo menopause profile testing anytime, but this may make interpreting your result more difficult.
Menopause profiling examines the following.
Your result should be available within a few days, and the specialist will contact you to schedule an appointment for a discussion in person or over the phone.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) mostly controls the menstrual cycle and when the ovaries produce eggs. FSH levels in the body usually vary during the menstrual cycle and are highest before ovulation.
The brain’s pituitary gland produces FSH, and the body produces more of these hormones as menopause begins, and other hormone levels will start decreasing. It is important to get tested because the result can diagnose the start of menopause, tumours on the pituitary glands, ovarian function issues, abnormal menstrual bleeding, and infertility.
Oestrogen is the female sex hormone that controls the development and regulation of secondary sex characteristics and the female reproductive system.
Oestrogen has three types in the body. They include oestriol, oestradiol, and oestrone. Oestradiol is the most commonly measured of these three hormones because it is the most active oestrogen hormone and has the most significant importance.
The ovary produces more oestradiol, but the testes and adrenal cortex also produce this oestrogen hormone. Oestradiol significantly affects ovulation, pregnancy, and conception, and as you approach menopause, the level gradually declines.
However, oestradiol also affects the bones, fat, skin, and other body parts. Testing for oestradiol helps check whether menopause has started, but it is vital in several other conditions. High oestradiol may cause sex drive issues, fatigue, and obesity. In most cases, low oestradiol levels indicate decreased pituitary function, anorexia, or PCOS.
The adrenal glands and ovaries produce a small amount of testosterone, and women usually have about one-tenth of the testosterone found in men. Testosterone levels usually drop during menopause and can cause issues like loss of sex drive, loss of energy, and depression.
Testing testosterone levels is important because high levels may result from cancer of the adrenal gland, ovarian cancer, or PCOS.
Luteinising hormone (LH) plays a vital role in the menstrual cycle. The brain’s pituitary gland produces the luteinising hormone, and LH sends the signal that tells your ovary to release an egg. LH levels are usually high before ovulation.
Testing your LH can aid in diagnosing the reason for being unable to conceive and when you ovulate, but it can also identify whether you have started perimenopause or menopause. High levels of Turner syndrome or PCOS are linked to high levels of luteinising hormones, which can cause infertility. Low levels of LH may indicate an issue with the pituitary gland.
Female hormone testing doesn’t require special preparation except your doctor informs you otherwise. Generally, it is advised to drink a lot of water to be well-hydrated during your appointment.
The nurse or doctor will draw a blood sample from your arm using a needle. The needle may cause a slight pricking sensation or scratching.
We will send your results through an email as soon as they are available, or if one of our doctors recommends the test, they will contact you directly to discuss your results. You can also take the results to your doctor for an evaluation.
Please note that the cost of our consultation is different from the price of your test. If you want advice from one of our doctors, ensure you request this while booking for your test.
Getting a fully body screening is advisable when you reach over the age of 40. Our female screening packages offer a comprehensive look at your health via the early detection of the warning signs of diseases commonly affecting women.
These include amongst others; osteoporosis, coronary heart disease, lung disease, ovarian and breast cancer. Our testing offers a holistic experience, ensuring comfort and optimum care, and a good starting point for any necessary treatment.
Our female wellness test covers the following.
Our services are fast and efficient, and we provide hormone level testing to give detailed information about your health, which also supports diagnosing several conditions. Contact our team at Medical Express Clinic today on 0207 499 1991 to book an appointment for your menopause profile test. You can also call us for more information on our female wellness tests, including menopause profiling.
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