Menopause Home Tests Are Hitting the Market — Here’s How They Work & If They’re Right for You
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As women continue demanding better medical information about what happens to their bodies in the years leading up to menopause, the market is responding with products that allow them greater control of their health and wellness. Specifically, new and established companies are offering menopause home tests that produce results in a matter of minutes, informing women whether or not they have started menopause.
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Though menopause home tests are accessible and convenient, they are but a single step in the longer journey of understanding what is happening to one’s body. Whatever information the tests may provide, they should not replace expert medical guidance about menopause care, contraception or fertility.
Can you test for menopause?
While that’s certainly what menopause home tests aim to do, the answer is a bit more complicated. A menopause test is an over-the-counter kit and a non-invasive way of measuring the presence of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in urine. Higher levels of FSH may indicate a person is in perimenopause or menopause. According to Mayo Clinic, FSH levels rise and fall during the menstruation cycle making it difficult for the tests to definitively say if someone is in a menopausal stage.
The average age of a woman who hits menopause is 51 years old, according to the North American Menopause Society. Women with well-established symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, may need the test less. However, women experiencing less-obvious symptoms, such as significant changes in sleep patterns, mood swings, and a difficulty remembering things or a decline in word recall may want to use the test to confirm a menopausal stage. No matter the results and whether or not an at-home test was used, experts recommend meeting with a medical practitioner to review symptoms, medical history and forge a plan.
Where to get a menopause test
Here are six menopause home tests currently available, how they work and what they test for.
Femometer Menopause Test
This one-step test is the most affordable of the kits we’ve included in our roundup, but it only measures FSH levels. However, it is easy to use and provides quick results. The company recommends taking the test during the user’s first urination after waking up and not drinking water or any liquids at least two hours before the test. You’ll need to immerse the strip in your urine sample for 10-15 seconds, then lay it on a flat, clean surface. Results will appear in just 3-5 minutes.
Clearblue Menopause Stage Indicator
This test tracks FSH levels in urine over ten days with five test sticks. Before taking the test, Clearblue instructs users to download their free app and enter personal information, such as date of birth, height and weight, and menstrual cycle data, plus the result from each test. After taking all the tests, the app combines the results with your cycle data to determine your likely menopause stage. Other app features include tracking your menstrual cycle and symptoms, a personalized report to share with your doctor and educational menopause content.
Everlywell Perimenopause Test
This perimenopause test assesses the levels of three hormones in your blood sample from a simple prick of a finger: estradiol (main form of estrogen vital for ovulation, brain function and bone health), LH (stimulates ovarian follicles to release egg) and FSH (stimulates ovulation, follicles and menstrual cylce). Before taking the test, users register their kit online. Once the blood sample is collected, a user will send the test in a pre-paid envelope to a CLIA-certified lab for processing. Next, a board-certified physician will review and return results to the your digital account.
empowerDx Women’s Hormones Test
Using a finger prick of blood, this home test measures hormone levels for six different markers, all of which fluctuate after menopause: estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, LH, FSH, and DHEA-S. The company warns that biotin and estrogen cream can alter lab results, and recommends refraining from taking supplements for three days and washing your hands twice, respectively, prior to your test. You’ll want to FedEx your sample using the pre-paid shipping label the same day you collect it; once the lab receives your completed kit, you’ll get an email within 48 hours notifying you that your physician-reviewed results are ready in empowerDX’s secure online portal. While the kit is on the expensive end, you can use your FSA/HSA card to pay for it.
MyLabBox Perimenopause Test
Unlike other tests, MyLabbox asks users for both saliva and blood samples to assess levels of FSH, estradiol and progesterone. According to the company, fasting or diet adjustment is not necessary before administering the tests. After registering the kit and mailing in samples in a pre-paid envelope to a CLIA-certified lab, results are back in one to five business days. Note that this test is temporarily unavailable in New York State.
Thorne Menopause Test
This at-home test measures both reproductive (estrogen, progesterone and testosterone) and adrenal (DHEA and cortisol) hormones. But instead of collecting a blood or urine sample, it analyzes a tester’s saliva. After purchasing and registering the kit online, users will deposit saliva into a tube and return the sample in a prepaid envelope. Results are reviewed by a board-certified physician and returned in eight to ten business days. The personalized report also includes wellness recommendations to protect a woman’s health during menopause.
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