How is perimenopause identified?
Perimenopause is usually diagnosed based on your symptoms and age rather than a single blood test. If you're over 45 and experiencing typical symptoms like hot flushes, mood changes, or irregular periods, a GP can often make a clinical diagnosis.
For women under 45, blood tests may be more useful to rule out other conditions and confirm whether hormonal changes are consistent with perimenopause.
What about FSH testing?
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is sometimes measured, but it fluctuates significantly during perimenopause, so a single reading can be misleading. This is why many GPs rely more on your symptom picture than on hormone levels.
Your GP may arrange other blood tests — such as thyroid function, iron studies, and a full blood count — to rule out other causes of your symptoms, such as thyroid issues or iron deficiency.
When to seek help
If your symptoms are interfering with your daily life — disrupting your sleep, affecting your mood, or making you feel unlike yourself — it's worth speaking with a GP. Treatment options are better than ever.
You don't need to wait until your periods have stopped. Perimenopause can last years, and there's no benefit to suffering through it when effective treatments are available.
Related condition
Menopause & perimenopause →References & sources
- 1.Menopause — Jean Hailes for Women's Health
- 2.Menopause — Better Health Channel
- 3.Hormone replacement therapy — healthdirect
- 4.Post-menopause — healthdirect
- 5.Menopause health info — Australasian Menopause Society
This content is general information and not a substitute for individual medical advice. Please consult a GP for your personal situation.
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