Frequently Asked Questions

• Curious about your hormone levels?

  During the menopausal transition, hormone levels are fluctuating and could be the cause of your symptoms.  If your symptoms interfere with your normal daily activities including sleep, your provider can provide guidance regarding treatment options based on your medical history and preferences.

• What will my menopause test results tell me?

  Our blood test for menopause measures four key hormones: estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and progesterone. We’re here to support your menopause journey by providing hormone test results that can help kick start a conversation with your healthcare provider.   This test provides a snapshot of your hormone levels at the time of testing. Repeatedly high FSH levels over time is considered a hallmark laboratory marker of menopause.5 Typically, FSH levels increase and estradiol levels decrease as menopause occurs. A consistently elevated level of FSH, a lack of menstrual period for 12 months, along with menopausal symptoms, indicates you are likely in post-menopause.   Menopause is defined as having 12 consecutive months of no menstrual periods and any bleeding after that timeframe should prompt an immediate discussion with your provider.   This is a great time to start or continue lifestyle changes (balanced nutrition, physical activity, stress management, limit alcohol and caffeine), to promote healthy aging. It is important to have regular checkups with your provider to discuss preventive screenings to maintain good overall health and wellbeing.

• Who should take this menopause blood test?

  This blood test is intended for women who are 45 years of age and older. While the test cannot diagnose menopause, it may help you understand why you’ve been experiencing symptoms related to menopause.   This menopause test is not intended for:   Individuals experiencing menopause symptoms before age 45. The average menopause age is at around 51 years. About 1% of women in the US have early or premature menopause.4 If you are under age 40 and suspect you have menopause symptoms or notice an abrupt change in your symptoms, you should see your healthcare provider for further evaluation.Individuals who may be on hormonal treatments, including but not limited to Tamoxifen, a drug used for breast cancer treatment, or Leuprolide, a synthetic hormone injection designed to help treat endometriosis, are recommended to avoid taking this test, as those treatments can affect the test results. Individuals on hormone therapy or hormonal contraception, including birth control injections such as Depo-Provera, birth control pills, birth control implants such as Nexplanon and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medication, are recommended to avoid taking this test, as these may interfere with menopause blood testing.   Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about specific medications before testing.

• When should I take this menopause test?

  If you have no menstrual cycle or have irregular menstrual cycles, you can test at any time.   If you are still menstruating, it is recommended to test on day 3 of your menstrual cycle (cycle day 1 is the first day of your period). Since the hormones in this blood test fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, results will vary somewhat on any given day. Day 3 of your menstrual cycle is considered the “baseline” because that's typically when estradiol, FSH, LH, and progesterone are most stable.

• How often should I take this menopause test?

  Although there are no clear guidelines on how often you should take this test, you may consider testing yearly to track your hormone levels over time.   Like other tests, tracking your hormone levels over time can provide information that you and your healthcare provider can discuss in order to make informed and proactive decisions about your menopause journey.

• Are there any resources that can help track my menopause symptoms?

  Yes! In fact, Ovia Health is a Labcorp company with a suite of health apps, including the Ovia app. With the Ovia app, you can keep track of your menopause symptoms, get personalized insights and health tips, and read about what to expect.    Download the app today!

• What are questions to ask my health care provider about the menopause transition?

  Here are some questions that may help you discuss about menopause with your provider: Can you tell me more about menopause and what to expect?What types of treatment are suitable for my symptoms? What are the benefits and risks of different treatments?What impact will the hormone changes have on my health and body?What screening tests are appropriate for me?

• How do I find a healthcare provider or Menopause Specialist?

  To find a Ob-Gyn that is an American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) member: List of Ob-Gyns from ACOG   To find a provider that has additional menopause training and certification from the North American Menopause Society: List of Menopause Practioners from North American Menopause Society

• Where can I go to learn more about menopause?

  Check out the following trusted menopause resources: Ovia Health. https://www.oviahealth.com/blog/fertility-cycle-tracker/menopause-101/. 2023.Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397. December 2022.Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21841-menopause. October 2021.The North American Menopause Society, NAMS. https://www.menopause.org/for-women. 2019.

• How accurate is this testing?

  Your testing will be performed in a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory. Labcorp provides leading-edge medical laboratory tests and services through a national network of primary clinical laboratories and specialty testing laboratories. Our labs perform regular quality assurance testing to ensure our results are accurate.