How can you test for menopause at home?

There are a few ways you can monitor signs of menopause from the comfort of your own home. Keeping track of any changes will help you determine if you are entering perimenopause or menopause.
Symptom tracking

• Monitor your periods and track symptoms in a journal. Irregular, skipped, or heavy periods can indicate perimenopause. Also make note of any new symptoms like:
  
  
  
  
  • Hot flashes
  
  
  • Night sweats
  
  
  • Vaginal dryness
  
  
  • Changes in mood
  
  
  • Trouble sleeping
  
  
  • Weight gain
  
  

Basal body temperature

• Take your basal body temperature each morning before getting out of bed. Track it over time. Drops in basal temperature happen during perimenopause and menopause due to decreasing progesterone levels. You'll need a basal thermometer to get accurate basal body temperature readings.

Home FSH test

• Use an at-home follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) test. FSH is a hormone that supports ovulation and egg production. Levels higher than 25 mIU/mL on your home test may indicate menopause. Discuss results with your healthcare provider.

Vaginal pH test

• Vaginal pH increases with lower estrogen levels. Use an at-home vaginal pH test kit to monitor pH over time. pH higher than 4.5 may be a sign of menopause.

OVulation predictor kits

• Ovulation predictor test sticks can track changes in estrogen and luteinizing hormone to help identify perimenopause. Irregular test results may indicate fluctuating hormones.

Perimenopause usually begins 1-2 years before menopause when periods become irregular but haven't stopped yet. Tracking symptoms and changes over months and years will give you the best sense of where you are in the menopausal transition.

If you think you may be perimenopausal or menopausal, discuss your concerns and home test results with your healthcare provider. They can do additional in-office tests to help diagnose. There are many treatment options available through specialists like the caring medical team at Balance & Renew Clinic.

We provide individualized care and hormone therapy programs to help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life during perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. Contact us today to learn more or schedule a consultation.