Know Your Menopause Journey and When to Test

Menopause is a natural part of every woman’s life, yet it often comes with uncertainty, physical and hormonal changes, and emotional shifts. This transition doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right information, support, and mindset, you can navigate menopause with confidence and compassion.

Understanding these changes is key to managing symptoms and maintaining your health. This introduction will help you recognize what to expect and how to approach menopause with kindness toward yourself.

Menopause Journey

Menopause is a natural process that unfolds in three key stages [1,2]: 

• Perimenopause: transitional years leading up to menopause and relevant symptoms may start to appear (like irregular period, reduced sexual function) . This stage can last several years before menopause. 
• Menopause: menopause is diagnosed when a woman has gone without menstrual period for 12 months, typically marking the time of menopause, which often occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 in most women [1]. A hormone test may help confirm this transition by evaluating key hormonal changes. 
• Post-menopause

While the stages of menopause are universal, each woman’s experience is unique. Menopausal symptoms can vary widely in type and intensity, depending on individual hormone levels and overall health. 

Common symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, mood swings, insomnia, vaginal dryness, irregularities in the menstrual cycle, memory changes, and fatigue. While some women experience only mild discomfort, others may face more disruptive changes that affect daily life.

In some cases, early menopause or premature menopause (which occurs before age 40) can happen due to genetics, medical treatments, or underlying health conditions (like premature ovarian insufficiency). It’s essential to consult a healthcare professional to discuss symptoms and rule out other causes. 

They may use blood tests to measure hormone levels and help diagnose menopause accurately. Understanding that menopause is not a disease but a natural phase of aging helps reduce stigma and encourages a more compassionate, informed, and empowered transition for women at every stage.

Why and When Should Women Test for Menopause Symptoms?

Knowing when to get tested for menopause symptoms is essential for timely and accurate diagnosis, especially during perimenopause, the transitional phase before women fully reach menopause.

Testing plays a crucial role in confirming whether symptoms like hot flashes, irregular periods, or mood swings are due to menopause or other health issues such as thyroid disorders, pregnancy, or hormonal imbalances. Women should consider testing when they notice persistent or severe symptoms, irregular menstrual cycles, or if they are concerned about early or premature menopause, particularly before age 40. Medical history and risk factors (such as family history, autoimmune diseases, or previous cancer treatments) can also influence when testing is necessary.

Beyond confirming menopause, testing provides psychological reassurance and helps healthcare providers tailor appropriate treatment options, whether lifestyle changes, hormone therapy, or other interventions.

Ultimately, understanding when to seek testing empowers women to navigate menopause confidently with personalized care and support.

Common Tests Used to Diagnose Menopause

Several tests play a key role in the diagnosis of menopause, understanding the changes during menopause, and the broader menopause transition.

Measuring follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level is common, as elevated levels often indicate that the ovary is reducing its function and a woman may have gone through menopause or is approaching it. Along with FSH, doctors may check estrogen and progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to rule out other causes for symptoms. The anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) test can help assess ovarian reserve, especially if testing is needed when you’re under 40 or experiencing early menopause symptoms. 

While women can test at any time, testing is often recommended around the average age of menopause, usually near age 45 or later. These results can guide decisions about whether hormone replacement therapy is appropriate to relieve menopause symptoms, though caution is advised for women with a history of breast cancer. Additionally, monitoring helps manage risks such as osteoporosis, which increases after menopause.

Beyond Testing: Managing Menopause Symptoms

Managing life during the menopause years involves more than understanding the physical changes. It requires access to accurate information, emotional support, and practical tools.

After receiving a proper diagnosis and tests, many people experiencing menopause benefit from learning the menopause basics, including common symptoms associated with menopause like anxiety, sleep disturbances, and hot flashes. Support from medical professionals is essential, especially for those around age 45 to 55, when these changes typically occur.

Trusted sources such as the Malaysia Menopause Society, the American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologists (ACOG), the NHS, and the MOH Malaysia provide evidence-based guidance and resources to help women navigate this stage confidently.

To care for psychological health, it’s helpful to stay socially connected, practice mindfulness or relaxation techniques, engage in regular physical activity, and consider counseling or therapy when needed. Prioritizing mental wellness is just as important as managing physical symptoms during this time of transition.

Summary

• Menopause is define as going 12 months without a period, marking a natural stage in a woman’s life.
• Common symptoms related to menopause include hot flashes, mood changes, and sleep issues, which can affect daily well-being.
• Shifts in hormone level may explain these changes, especially falling estrogen levels, which impact both physical and emotional health.
• FSH tests and other assessments help confirm menopause and are often used when symptoms are strongly related to menopause.
• Discuss with your doctor whether hormone therapy is suitable for you, especially if symptoms are severe or affect quality of life.
• Caring for your mental health is just as important: stay connected, seek emotional support, and approach this transition with self-compassion and understanding.

Further Reference:

1. Peacock K, Ketvertis KM. Menopause [Internet]. National Library of Medicine. StatPearls Publishing; 2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507826/
2. CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES: Management Of MENOPAUSE in Malaysia [Internet]. 2022. Available from: https://www.moh.gov.my/moh/resources/Penerbitan/CPG/Women+Health/CPG_Management_of_Menopause_2022_e-version-1.pdf

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. Please consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.