So the NICE guidelines came out this week regarding Menopause and gave quite specific information regarding blood testing to confirm Menopause.
Menopause: identification and management
NICE guideline [NG23]Published: 12 November 2015 Last updated: 07 November 2024
1.3.4
Do not use the following laboratory and imaging tests to identify perimenopause or menopause in people aged 45 or over:
anti-Müllerian hormone
inhibin A
inhibin B
oestradiol
antral follicle count
ovarian volume. [2015]
1.3.5
Do not use a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) blood test to identify menopause in people using combined oestrogen and progestogen contraception or high-dose progestogen. [2015]
1.3.6
Consider using the person's serum FSH level to confirm menopause only:
in people aged 40 to 45 with menopause-associated symptoms, including a change in their menstrual cycle
in people under 40 in whom menopause is suspected (see also diagnosing and managing premature ovarian insufficiency). [2015]See also the recommendations on offering psychological support to:
Many women inquire about blood testing after the age of 45 to confirm Peri-Menopause or Menopause; however, NICE does not recommend this. Treatment should be based on the individual's symptoms, and after consulting with a GP, an appropriate form of treatment will be suggested, whether it be HRT or a more holistic approach like nutrition, CBT, etc. (as below)
Hormone replacement therapy
1.4.2
When discussing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as a possible treatment for menopause-associated symptoms (in line with the recommendations on managing symptoms associated with menopause in people aged 40 and over), talk about the benefits and risks associated with:
combined versus oestrogen-only HRT (see the recommendation and its rationale on indications for combined and oestrogen-only HRT, in the section on starting HRT about which of the 2 types of HRT the person would be offered, and why)
transdermal versus oral HRT
types of oestrogen and progestogen
dose and duration. [2024]Tailor the information about benefits and risks to the person's age, individual circumstances and potential risk factors. Use the information in managing symptoms associated with menopause in people aged 40 or over, and in the effect of HRT on specific health outcomes in people aged 40 or over to support this discussion.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
1.4.4
When discussing cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as a possible management option for symptoms associated with menopause, explain what CBT is (including menopause-specific CBT) and talk about the available options, taking into account the person's preferences and needs, for example:
face-to-face or remote sessions
individual or group sessions
self-help options. [2024]
Kits for menopause testing can be purchased from various online stores, but interpreting the results requires understanding. If you exhibit all the symptoms of menopause and fall within the appropriate age range, it is likely that you are perimenopausal.