"The menopause" is often used to describe the years leading up to and beyond a woman's last menstrual period. Strictly speaking, the term refers to the last menstrual period; the years leading up to this point are known as 'climacteric'.
During the years leading up to the last menstrual period, the body is adjusting to the lower level of hormones being produced, due to the low number of eggs that remain in the ovaries.
This can lead to a failure to release eggs from the ovaries and a reduction in the triggering of oestrogen and progesterone hormones. It is this lower level of hormone production that causes the climacteric and eventually the menopause.
For more information on the menopause, visit: www.the-bms.org
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of menopause, which result from the reduced levels of oestrogen, will affect 80% of women. They include:
- Irregular periods, which will eventually end
- Hot Flushes
- Sweats
- Irritability, tiredness, mood swings and depression
- Loss of libido
It is possible to get treatment to help with the effects of the menopause. With 80% of women having noticeable symptoms, the earlier the detection the earlier treatment can start.
As the ovaries start to fail to bring eggs to maturity, the pituitary gland starts producing more Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) in an attempt to compensate. Our test looks for increased levels of FSH in your urine.
