# How Is a Menopause Test Done? Home Tests, Blood Tests and FSH - Page: https://www.carewithki.com/en/discover/menopause-test - Published: 1 November 2026 - Topics: Menopause, Hormonal balance, Blood Test - Topic page: Perimenopause and Menopause https://www.carewithki.com/en/discover/topic/menopause - Publisher: care with .ki (content principles: https://www.carewithki.com/en/editorial-policy) ![How Is a Menopause Test Done? Home Tests, Blood Tests and FSH](https://www.carewithki.com/blog/en/menopoz-testi.jpg) > "Menopause test" usually means measuring the hormone FSH, either in the blood or at home in urine. But if you are 45 or older and have menopause symptoms, a test is usually not needed. According to NICE, menopause at this age is identified from symptoms and the menstrual cycle. A home urine test only shows whether FSH is raised; it does not prove that you have reached menopause (FDA). "Menopause test" usually means measuring the hormone FSH, either in the blood or at home in urine. But if you are 45 or older and have menopause symptoms, a test is usually not needed. According to NICE, menopause at this age is identified from symptoms and the menstrual cycle. A home urine test only shows whether FSH is raised; it does not prove that you have reached menopause (FDA). **In brief:** - In healthy people aged 45 and over who have symptoms, perimenopause and menopause are identified without a laboratory test (NICE). - An FSH blood test is considered between the ages of 40 and 45 if there are symptoms and changes to periods, or if menopause is suspected before 40 (NICE). - A home menopause test shows raised FSH in urine, not menopause; whatever the result, do not stop using contraception (FDA). - If you use combined hormonal contraception, an FSH test is not used to identify menopause (NICE). ## What does a menopause test measure? A menopause test measures the level of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), which is released by the pituitary gland in the brain. FSH stimulates egg development in the ovaries. As the ovaries release fewer eggs, the body makes more FSH; that is why FSH rises as menopause approaches (MedlinePlus). There is a catch: during perimenopause, FSH rises and falls throughout the month. A single measurement shows that day, not where you are in the transition (FDA). This is why the test does not always give an answer. ## Who needs a menopause test? Menopause testing by age: at 45 and over, healthy people with symptoms usually do not need a test; between 40 and 45, an FSH blood test may be considered if there are symptoms and changes to periods; under 40, if menopause is suspected, two FSH tests are done 4–6 weeks apart NICE, England's clinical guideline, divides people by age: - **45 and over:** People who are otherwise healthy and have menopause symptoms do not need a laboratory test. If hot flushes have recently started and periods have changed, this is called perimenopause; if there has been no period for 12 months while not using hormonal contraception, this is called menopause. - **40 to 45:** If there are menopause symptoms, including changes to periods, an FSH blood test may be considered to confirm menopause. - **Under 40:** If menopause is suspected, FSH is checked. Premature ovarian insufficiency is not diagnosed from a single test; FSH must be raised in two blood samples taken 4–6 weeks apart. NICE also recommends not using AMH, inhibin, oestradiol or ovarian ultrasound measurements to identify menopause in people aged 45 and over. We explain the symptoms in [What Are the Symptoms of Menopause?](https://www.carewithki.com/en/discover/menopause-symptoms) and the ages of menopause and early menopause in [At What Age Does Menopause Start?](https://www.carewithki.com/en/discover/menopause-age-and-early-menopause). ## How is an FSH blood test done? Blood is taken from a vein in the arm; it usually takes less than five minutes (MedlinePlus). If you still have periods, your doctor may ask for the test on a particular day of your cycle, because FSH changes during the month (MedlinePlus). Some medicines change the result: - **Combined hormonal contraception or high-dose progestogen:** While using these, an FSH test is not used to identify menopause (NICE). - **Hormone therapy:** It can raise FSH (MedlinePlus). So tell your doctor about all the medicines you take before the test. ## How do you read menopause test results? After menopause, FSH is usually higher than in women who still have periods. Ranges given by MedlinePlus: - **Women who still have periods:** 4.7–21.5 mIU/mL - **After menopause:** 25.8–134.8 mIU/mL The normal range varies slightly between laboratories; compare your result with the range on your report. A single value cannot make a diagnosis on its own. Your doctor considers your age, symptoms, period pattern and, if needed, other hormone results such as LH together. ## Are home menopause tests reliable? A home menopause test shows whether FSH in urine is raised; it does not show whether you have reached menopause, whether you can get pregnant or whether you can stop contraception Home menopause tests sold in pharmacies look for FSH in urine. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA): - The test detects FSH correctly about 9 times out of 10. But what it measures is FSH, not menopause. - It is recommended to use the first urine of the morning. Drinking a lot of water before the test, using a birth control pill or patch, hormone therapy or oestrogen supplements, or having recently stopped them can affect the result. - **If the result is positive:** You may be in the menopause transition. See your doctor, especially if you have symptoms. - **If the result is negative:** If you have symptoms, it does not rule out menopause or perimenopause. - **Do not stop contraception:** Ovulation continues during perimenopause and you can get pregnant. The test does not show fertility. MedlinePlus also says that home urine tests can only show higher-than-normal FSH, should not be used to make decisions about fertility, and that the result should be discussed with a doctor. ## When should you see a doctor? - If your periods become irregular or stop before 45 - If menopause symptoms affect your daily life and you want to discuss your options - If a home test is positive, or it is negative but your symptoms continue - You have any vaginal bleeding after 12 months or more without a period Any bleeding after menopause, even a small amount, should be checked by a doctor. ## Frequently asked ### Can my family doctor arrange a menopause test? Your family doctor or gynaecologist can request an FSH blood test. If you are 45 or older and have symptoms, you are usually assessed without the need for a test (NICE). You can ask your family doctor where the test can be done. ### Do you need to fast for a menopause test? MedlinePlus's FSH test page mentions only one thing about preparation: if you still have periods, the test may be requested on a particular day of your cycle. It does not mention fasting. If other tests that require fasting will be done on the same blood sample, your doctor or the laboratory will guide you. ### How many times should you do a home menopause test? Because FSH rises and falls during perimenopause, a single test can be misleading (FDA). Follow the instructions on the box. Whatever the result, talk to your doctor about your symptoms. ### Does an AMH test show menopause? NICE recommends not using an AMH test to identify menopause in people aged 45 and over. Low AMH may show that menopause is approaching, but it does not show when it will start. We explain AMH in the [Menopause Glossary](https://www.carewithki.com/en/discover/menopause-glossary#amh). ## References - NICE. Menopause: identification and management (NG23), Recommendations 1.3.1–1.3.6 and 1.7.2–1.7.4. First published 12 November 2015, last updated 15 April 2026. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/Recommendations - MedlinePlus. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Levels Test. Last updated 4 December 2023. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh-levels-test/ - MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) blood test. Last reviewed 18 August 2025. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003710.htm - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Menopause (home use tests). Content current as of 27 September 2018. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/home-use-tests/menopause _This article is general information; it is not a diagnosis or treatment recommendation._