Why are hormone tests done during menopause?
Menopause is a natural process in which women enter a major physiological change phase. These changes are the period in which hormonal values decrease and the body undergoes some changes due to the effects of hormones. It covers a painful period, especially with the cessation of menstrual bleeding and the termination of fertility, with signs of change dating back several years.
A number of tests are performed to determine whether the symptoms that appear are an effect of menopause. In addition, the symptoms of menopause are seen very similarly to the symptoms of some diseases. Therefore, determining the status of women entering menopause according to the age of menopause is of great importance in terms of the diagnosis and treatment of other diseases.
Since menopause refers to changes in hormone levels, as mentioned above, blood tests and medical examinations are performed to evaluate certain hormone levels in a person's blood.
What are the hormonal changes that indicate that menopause is approaching?
Situations that indicate that menopause is approaching occur within a few years after menstrual bleeding has stopped. In our country, the age range for women to enter menopause is generally between 48-55. The hormonal changes that the body experiences during these periods are as follows:
The most important factor indicating that menopause is approaching is the increase in the FSH hormone.
The level of estrogen hormone and the cessation of menstrual bleeding are interdependent.
Testosterone and progesterone hormone levels decrease with the onset of menopause.
When is the best time to diagnose menopause?
In order to obtain the closest results to the hormone levels in the blood with menopause tests, it is appropriate to perform the test on the 3rd day of the menstrual period or in periods close to these days. Whether the person is hungry or full on the day the test is performed does not change the result.
What are the hormone tests done during menopause?
FSH hormone control
FSH is an important hormone in the diagnosis of menopause. This hormone is secreted through the pituitary gland located in the brain. With the secretion of the FSH hormone, the woman's ovaries grow and help secrete the estrogen hormone, known as the female hormone.
Before entering menopause, the FSH hormone levels are examined in the blood on the 3rd day of the patient's period. These levels are usually below 20. If the FSH levels are below 10, it indicates that the ovarian capacity is in good condition and that ovulation is occurring with the secretion of the estrogen hormone. In the test results performed in this direction, if the FSH level is above 10, it indicates that the egg reserves have started to decrease to a certain extent, and if it is between 15-20, it indicates that the menopause period is approaching.
If these values are above 30, it means that menopause has begun and menstruation will no longer occur. However, after menstruation begins or approaches, FSH hormone levels may increase. For this reason, it is not preferred for definitive menopause diagnosis.
Estrogen hormone control
The starting point of the symptoms that herald the menopause period is related to the decrease in the level of the estrogen hormone. Known as the symbolic hormone of femininity, estrogen is secreted by the ovaries with the help of the FSH hormone. As a result of the weakening of the triggering effect of the FSH hormone during menopause, the eggs are deprived of the development phase and the ovulation period stops. Since the secretion of the estrogen hormone is prevented in cases where ovulation does not occur, the body's estrogen level decreases.
In premenopausal tests performed on the 3rd day of menstruation, estrogen levels range between 25-140 pg/ml. These values may increase as the menstrual period approaches and in the middle. Therefore, for menopause diagnosis, it must be performed on the 3rd day of menstruation.
LH hormone values
LH values are checked in tests performed on the 3rd day of menstruation before menopause. LH levels during these periods are between 5-20mlU/ml. If a person is in menopause, this LH level increases. However, LH hormone levels increase later than FSH hormone levels. Therefore, it is not a correct application in terms of menopause diagnosis.
Inhibin- B hormone values
Inhibin B plays a supporting role in the secretion of the FSH hormone secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain. While all hormones undergo chain changes in relation to each other, the secretion of the Inhibin-B hormone in the ovaries decreases as menopause approaches. However, these values are not sufficient for the diagnosis of menopause.
Testosterone and Progesterone values
Testosterone and progesterone hormone levels decrease with menopause. However, menopause is not diagnosed due to the decrease in these hormones.
HCG hormone values
B-HCG hormone levels are generally used in pregnancy detection. As the woman ages, especially in the 40s and above, there is a possibility that the B-HCG hormone will be high. In addition, this hormonal increase that raises the suspicion of pregnancy also shows the same increase during menopause. For this reason, it is not a control used alone in menopause diagnosis.
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