When is hormone testing necessary during perimenopause and menopause?

Hormone testing is generally not necessary during perimenopause and menopause for most women. Here at Alloy, we emphasize that symptoms are far more important than lab values because hormone levels fluctuate wildly and unpredictably during this transition. A single blood, urine, or saliva test cannot reliably diagnose perimenopause or menopause due to this variability.

Hormone testing may be considered in rare cases, such as if you are under 35 and have lost your period for a year (which could indicate premature ovarian insufficiency), or if there are other specific medical concerns like thyroid issues or if testosterone therapy is being considered.

For most women, the diagnosis of perimenopause or menopause is made by listening to your symptoms and ruling out other possible causes. If you’re experiencing bothersome symptoms, the focus should be on how you feel and what can help you feel better, not on hormone test results.

For a deeper dive into why hormone testing is not usually needed, check out these helpful video chapters:

• When Hormone Testing is Needed – Dr. Darwana Ratleff Todd
• Why Hormone Testing Is Unreliable in Perimenopause – Dr. Corinne Menn
• Testing in Perimenopause – Dr. Mary Claire Haver

If you’re looking for symptom relief, Alloy offers a range of menopause hormone therapy options, including estradiol pills, patches, and vaginal creams. You can explore our menopause solutions or take our online assessment to find the best treatment for you.

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This answer was created using the following resources:

• Hormones: They're More Than Just Hot Flashes! | Dr. Darwana Ratleff Todd - When Hormone Testing is Needed
• Perimenopause 101 | Dr. Corinne Menn - Why Hormone Testing Is Unreliable in Perimenopause
• Why You Don’t Need Hormone Testing for Perimenopause and Menopause | Dr. Corinne Menn
• Why Hormone Testing Is Not Clinically Relevant in Perimenopause | Dr. Mary Claire Haver - Testing in Perimenopause
• Do You Need Menopause Hormone Therapy?
• What is Perimenopause | Alloy
• Alloy | Kudzai Dombo