How to predict how far you are from menopause?
Menopause is a completely natural and normal part of life that indicates an individual’s menstrual cycle is gradually coming to an end. The typical menopause age range is 45 to 55, with the full transition from perimenopause to postmenopause lasting for up to 14 years in some cases (although individual experiences vary).
Doctors typically diagnose menopause when an individual has gone without a period for at least 12 months. Menopause can also be predicted by measuring follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) levels.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about menopause – including its various symptoms and stages, what’s happening with your hormones during menopause, and tests you can take to predict if menopause is on the horizon.
Key Takeaways
- The transition to menopause is characterized by the following symptoms: hot flashes, irregular periods, difficulty sleeping, night sweats, low libido, vaginal dryness and pain, changes in mood, and problems with memory and/or concentration.
- Changing hormone levels (particularly decreased estrogen and progesterone) are to blame for the many uncomfortable symptoms of menopause.
- Certain lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and tobacco use may interfere with how early or late an individual undergoes menopause.
- Genetic factors also play a role in the timing of menopause.
- The most common test for assessing menopause is a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test, with elevated FSH levels being a key indicator of menopause.
Understanding Menopause: Symptoms and Stages
Menopause refers to the stage of life where an individual’s menstrual periods have stopped for at least 12 months in a row. This is caused by a natural shift in hormone levels that happens as women age.
Menopause does not happen overnight, and the transition to menopause is often referred to as ‘menopausal transition’ or ‘perimenopause’.
Due to fluctuating hormones, early signs of menopause can start months (and even years!) before the menstrual period stops completely.
Common symptoms that occur in the runup to menopause include:
- Irregular periods
- Hot flashes
- Difficulty sleeping and night sweats
- Weight gain
- Low libido
- Vaginal dryness and pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Increased facial hair
- Thinning hair on the scalp
- Changes in mood, including increased irritability
- Problems with memory and/or concentration
Once the menstrual cycle has stopped for at least 12 consecutive months, the next stage is ‘postmenopause’. During this stage, it’s common for menopause symptoms to linger (but they are often less intense). However, it’s important to remember that individual experiences vary.
Hormonal Changes and Indicators
Fluctuating hormone levels are to blame for all of the frustrating symptoms related to menopause. This is caused in large part by the ovaries producing less estrogen and progesterone as the body ages.
Among individuals of reproductive age, estrogen levels typically peak in the days before ovulation and progesterone levels gradually rise after ovulation. This is what helps to keep the menstrual cycle regular.
However, when estrogen and progesterone levels are low, this causes the menstrual cycle to become irregular. This may look like:
- Anovulation (i.e. absence of ovulation)
- Missed periods
- Longer or shorter than normal periods
- Lighter or heavier than normal periods
- Spotting between periods
In addition to disruptions to ovulation and menstruation, low estrogen and progesterone levels are to blame for many of the telltale physical and emotional symptoms of (peri)menopause. Learn more in our article The 34 Symptoms of Menopause.
Another hormone that changes during menopause is follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
However, unlike estrogen and progesterone levels which are much lower during perimenopause, FSH levels can be, on average, 6X higher in perimenopause. This is completely normal and is an indication that the ovaries have fewer follicles for releasing eggs.
In terms of diagnosing menopause, sometimes doctors will want to run a blood test to see a patient’s exact estrogen, progesterone, and FSH levels. However, this is not always necessary for a diagnosis.
Other Factors Influencing Menopause: Genetics and Lifestyle
Another factor that influences menopause comes down to genetics. For example, recent research suggests that certain genetic variations may cause menopause to occur earlier than average. Other research points to the potential role that genetics plays in delaying menopause.
While genetics is a factor that is outside of our control, we do have control over certain lifestyle factors that can influence the age at which we experience menopause.
For example, research shows that smoking is linked to a greater risk of early menopause. Research also suggests that diet may have a role to play, with one study finding diets high in refined pasta/rice to be associated with premature menopause and diets high in oily fish and legumes to be associated with later menopause.
Other lifestyle factors that may influence menopause include exercise, alcohol consumption, tea consumption, and sun exposure.
Common Tests and Assessments
One of the most common ways to assess menopause is with an FSH test. This can be done by testing FSH levels in blood or in urine.
Please note: only a healthcare professional can diagnose menopause.
FSH blood testing
A blood test can be done at your doctor’s office or with an at-home test kit (you can find these online or at a pharmacy). After your sample has been tested, you will receive your exact, numeric FSH level result. Your doctor can then advise on whether or not your FSH levels are elevated, which may indicate that you are approaching menopause.
The major downside to blood testing is that it can take a few days to receive your results. It can also get expensive if you’re looking to regularly test your FSH levels over a period of time.
FSH urine testing
Another option is urine testing which can be done from the comfort of your home. Currently, there are two different ways to test for FSH in urine.
One option is to use a menopause test kit. This option is very similar to an ovulation predictor kit (OPK), however, instead of testing for luteinizing hormone (LH), it tests for FSH. After testing, you will either receive a ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ result, with a ‘positive’ result indicating that your FSH levels are elevated and you may be approaching menopause. This is one of the cheapest options, however, they are not always reliable, with some doctors advocating against the use of menopause test kits.
Another option is to track your FSH levels with Mira’s Ovum Wands. This enables you to monitor your exact, numeric FSH levels over time. Studies show that FSH levels rise approximately two years before your final menstrual period, and Mira’s Ovum Wands can help you to stay aware of any changes in FSH levels so that you can stay in tune with your body.
AMH testing
Another hormone that can be tested to help predict menopause is anti-müllerian hormone (AMH). Research shows that AMH levels are a reflection of the number of follicles remaining in the ovaries, with a decline in AMH levels being an indicator that an individual is approaching menopause.
AMH levels can be tested at your doctor’s office. You can also test for AMH from the comfort of your home with Mira’s Panorama Fertility Lab Test. In addition to AMH, this at-home blood test can also screen for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), prolactin, and free testosterone. Together, these hormones can help to paint a picture of your overall fertility health, thyroid functioning, and ovarian reserve.
Alternative Methods and Predictive Tools
In addition to blood and urine testing, there are also a number of apps, quizzes, and menopause age calculators out there designed to help you better understand your body, with some claiming they can estimate how far away you may be from menopause.
With a quick Google search, you’ll likely find apps like Midday, Caria, and Balance. These apps are great for helping you stay in tune with your body and symptoms. However, they are not necessarily the most reliable tool and it can feel like there is a lot of guesswork involved.
If you are approaching the age of perimenopause and feel that you need a bit of guidance, Mira’s own Hormone Health Coaches can help! All of our coaches have field experience in fertility, and they can help assess your symptoms, analyze your hormone tests, and provide practical lifestyle guidance on managing the transition to menopause. They can also signpost you to further support depending on your individual situation and goals.
Please note: Mira’s fertility coaches do not provide diagnoses, treatment, or medication prescriptions. Our services are designed to offer education, promote well-being, and extend emotional support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical age for menopause?
Menopause typically starts between the ages of 45 to 55. However, it can happen earlier or later depending on individual circumstances and medical history.
What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the period of time that occurs in the run-up to menopause. It is a natural process that indicates the menstrual cycle is gradually coming to an end.
How long does menopause last?
According to the National Institutes of Health, the menopausal transition lasts around seven years. Once an individual has gone 12 months without a period, they are considered to be in postmenopause.
What are the stages of menopause?
Menopause is typically split into three different stages: perimenopause (the years leading up to menopause), menopause (when you go at least 12 consecutive months without a period), and postmenopause (when you have not had a period for at least 12 months or more).
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