So what’s up with the Menopause Test?
By now, you have probably heard that there is a test that you can take to determine when you will make the transition into menopause. You may be asking yourself, “Why would anyone want to know when they will begin menopause? That sounds depressing.” Many women may think this initially, but there is real benefit in knowing.
In most cases today, women don’t learn about and begin to understand what menopause is really about until they are well into experiencing it for themselves. In fact, there is still a lot that is unknown about menopause and the various effects it has on women. So having the ability to identify when it will be your turn not only gives you time to learn about and embrace the transition, but it also gives physicians and clinical researchers the ability to better study the physical, mental and emotional changes taking place through this time in a woman’s life.
The Menopause test could also be a helpful tool for family planning. In this day and age, families are getting started later and later in life. Having the knowledge of when your body will no longer be able to reproduce will allow those of you that plan to have (more) children to know just how long you have.
In late 2008, researchers from the University of Michigan announced the development of the menopause test. Their research spanned about 14 years and included data from over 600 women, the results of which are published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Their work has produced a simple blood test that provides an accurate prediction of when a woman will begin the transition into menopause. The test measures fluctuations in hormonal biomarkers; anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Inhibin B. Researchers identified that about five years before menopause begins, women experience a significant decrease in one of these hormones.
Researcher Maryfran Sowers commented “the information will provide a road map as to how fast women are progressing through the different elements of their reproductive life. People really want information about how long they have and when they will have their final menstrual period”.
Although every woman will experience menopause differently, at different points in their life and for different lengths of time…knowledge of menopause and their bodies is the key to successfully navigating menopausal life changes. The earlier you are able to acquire this knowledge, the more you can make of your transition Early identification through definitive testing can be the best way to plan for and educate your self about menopause.
What are your thoughts on the Menopause Test? Would you like to know (or have known) when menopause will begin for you? Please share your comments and view point.