Menopause doesn’t have to be a time of discomfort and confusion. The way we take care of ourselves, adapt our lifestyles and focus on stepping into this new phase can have a huge impact on our journey going forward. Rather than being something to dread, this time of our lives can be a wake-up call to assess what our bodies need and how we are living, and a prompt to take better care of ourselves.

The Women’s Peri/Post-menopause Assessment is a starting point. Armed with clear knowledge about the way your body is reacting to its natural hormonal shifts can help you understand the changes ahead of you, and make informed decisions about how to best take care of yourself – both physically and mentally.

This is what the test will measure:

Estrogen

Estradiol is the main form of estrogen found in a woman's body and is the most potent of the three naturally produced estrogens. It plays a vital role in the reproductive system and the regulation of a woman's menstrual cycle, as well as many other areas including bone strength, heart health, metabolism and nerve health. Estradiol levels start to fall as a woman enters perimenopause, causing a range of what can be debilitating symptoms. The reduction in estrogen at the time of the menopause has been linked to the development of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Baseline FSH levels typically increase with age due to diminished ovarian reserve, and over time more FSH is needed to stimulate ovarian function. A normal FSH level may imply a person with a uterus has an appropriate egg quantity for their reproductive stage.

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

LH is responsible for the stimulation and maturation of ovarian follicles in the ovaries. In women, LH levels rise naturally around the time of the menopause, highlighting the reduced function of the ovaries as well as the reduction in estrogen and progesterone production.

Anti-Müllerian Hormone Test (AMH)

This test measures the level of anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) in the blood. AMH is made in the reproductive tissues of both males and females. In women, AMH levels can provide information about their fertility and predict the start of menopause. The test may also be used to help diagnose menstrual disorders or to monitor the health of women with certain types of ovarian cancer.