Do menopause testing kits work?
Ask the doctor
- Reviewed by Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
I'm in my mid-40s and wondering if I'm in perimenopause. I've seen home menopause testing kits at the drugstore, but are they accurate?Some menopause test kits account for this conundrum by requiring users to randomly perform a series of tests over a month and record results on an app. But even with repeated testing, the tests can't tell you how close to menopause you are or when any menopause symptoms you're having will ease. If you're wondering if menopause is approaching, a smarter approach is to see your doctor. She may perform FSH testing and explain what your levels mean. More importantly, though, she will speak with you in detail about what you're experiencing, get to know your history, and create a personalized plan that will help you manage any bothersome menopause symptoms.
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About the Author
Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
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