At a time when more and more diseases and health conditions can be detected at home with a simple test from the pharmacy, from ovulation and pregnancy, to COVID or the flu, it seems that the moment is approaching when we will also have the first test for menopause.
According to a recent report in Allure magazine, several companies are already working to develop this test, which will be as easy to use as a pregnancy test. With just a urine sample, it will answer the question that many women over 40 often ask: "Am I in menopause?"
After a few minutes, depending on the number of lines that appear on the test, we will receive a simple answer, "yes" or "no."
Currently, a woman is only officially considered to be in menopause after 12 months without a menstrual cycle. However, symptoms of the preceding phase, known as perimenopause, can appear up to ten years earlier. These include menstrual irregularities, sleep problems, night sweats, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness.
“Menopause and perimenopause are usually diagnosed based on symptoms and their course, not through laboratory tests,” explains gynecologist Dr. Anna Barbieri. However, in certain cases, for example, in women who have always had irregular cycles, doctors may recommend additional blood tests.
New menopause tests expected to hit the market soon are based on measuring follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which rises as menopause approaches and estrogen levels begin to decline. This information could help women open a clearer dialogue about this period of life, a topic that, while increasingly discussed, still remains somewhat taboo and little understood.
