Everything You Need To Know About At-Home Menopause Tests
One of the most common questions we hear from our community is, “How do I know if I’m in perimenopause?”. The start of perimenopause can be hard to pin down because signs, symptoms, and age of onset vary for everyone.
What’s more, perimenopause generally starts as subtle changes – fatigue, weight gain, irritability, sleepless nights, and period changes – which can easily be explained away by not getting enough sleep, dealing with too much stress, eating a poor diet… the list goes on.
So how can you know for sure? Your doctor can order blood tests, but they can be expensive and a hassle to make time for. At-home menopause tests have been on the rise recently, with Clearblue (a leading manufacturer of home pregnancy tests) launching its first at-home menopause test in the US.
At-home menopause tests can offer a more affordable and convenient solution for women wanting to know what is happening to them. But are at-home menopause tests worth it? Will they actually give you valuable information?
We break down everything you need to know:
How do at-home menopause tests work?
At-home menopause tests are designed to measure hormone levels. Some tests measure multiple hormones, while others look at one key indicator. This also influences the accuracy of tests, which we’ll touch on below.
These tests can be done in three different ways:
Urine test (using a pee stick similar to a pregnancy test)
Finger prick (to get a small sample of blood)
Saliva sample (using a swab)
In general, you’ll need to take multiple samples over the course of several days in order to get a more accurate picture of your hormone readings, since they are expected to fluctuate naturally.
What hormones are tested for in an at-home menopause test?
The most common hormone tested in at-home menopause test is FSH (follicular stimulating hormone), which is how the Clearblue menopause test works.
FSH can be detected in urine, and results are generally presented instantly as a positive or negative value (indicating how high your FSH levels are). You generally take several samples over the course of 7-10 days and then based on the pattern of results, theoretically you could get a picture of whether you’re menopausal or not.
In a normal menstrual cycle, FSH rises right before ovulation before returning back to baseline levels. However, for women who are nearing or have reached menopause, FSH levels remain consistently elevated, which is why this hormone is often looked at. However, many health experts argue that FSH isn’t the most reliable indicator of menopause.
Because of this, other at-home menopause tests look at a variety of hormone levels to better pinpoint your menopause status. Other hormones tested often include estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and prolactin. However, these hormones often require finger prick or saliva tests, where you need to send your samples out and wait for the results to be returned to you.
How much do at-home menopause tests cost?
The price can vary depending on the type of sample you’re getting, what hormones you’re measuring for, and if you need to send out your results for a healthcare professional to read.
Urine tests that just measure for FSH are generally the cheapest – ranging from $10-$30 (£8-£25).
Finger prick and saliva tests often require you to submit a sample to be read by a healthcare professional, so they can be a bit more expensive. In most cases, the more hormones you test for, the higher the price.
Current finger prick and saliva menopause tests range from $99-$200 (£80-£150). Some of these tests also offer a consultation with a professional, which can further elevate the cost.
Are at-home menopause tests accurate?
This is the big question. The tl;dr is that the results of these tests are limited. Hormone levels can vary from person to person and throughout your cycle. If you have irregular periods already, you may find it very difficult to get helpful results from an at-home menopause test.
In fact, in 2022, the RCOG released a statement recommending against the use of OTC menopause tests, saying that while they can accurately measure FSH, it is not an accurate indication of whether a woman is in perimenopause or menopause.
Should you take an at-home menopause test?
Ultimately, it’s up to you, your budget, and what you are hoping to learn.
If you are experiencing symptoms associated with perimenopause or menopause, taking an at-home menopause test might offer helpful insights that you can bring to a healthcare professional or your next doctor’s appointment to continue the conversation.
We see tests like these as additional data points that can help you better understand your body and your hormones. At-home menopause tests are not single sources of truth, but they can be another tool to help you better advocate for yourself and your needs.
