In a woman’s body, many processes are regulated by hormones. The state of health and health depend on their number. But throughout life, hormonal changes occur many times. Usually, at the same time, everything is adjusted by itself, and health is normalized. The most serious hormonal failure in a woman occurs after 45 years. This condition is called menopause or menopause, as the reproductive function attenuates, and the amount of sex hormones changes. In this case, a malfunction of many organs occurs, mood swings and decreased performance are observed. A hormone test for menopause will help determine which hormonal drugs you can take to normalize your condition.
What is menopause
Menopause occurs in the life of every woman. This usually happens at the age of 45-50, but sometimes it can happen sooner or later. This is due to the lifestyle of a woman, her hormonal background, heredity. Changes in the amount of hormones occur, primarily the level of estrogen decreases. It is he who is responsible for the work of the heart, maintaining skin elasticity, bone strength and overall well-being of women. The amount of other hormones also changes. All these changes lead to menopausal syndrome.
The onset of menopause can be judged by the characteristic symptoms:
- hot flashes that occur several times a day;
- excessive sweating, especially at night;
- sleep disturbance;
- headaches, fluctuations in blood pressure;
- tachycardia;
- anxiety, irritability, mood swings;
- dry skin
- decreased sexual desire and the amount of natural lubrication of the vagina;
- decreased pelvic floor muscle tone, which leads to urinary incontinence during sneezing or coughing;
- osteoporosis, degenerative changes in the joints.
Female sex hormones
The reproductive functions of a woman and her state of health are regulated by sex hormones. These are estrogens and progestins that are produced in the ovaries. But their number is regulated by other hormones synthesized by the pituitary gland. These are follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones. With the onset of menopause, the level of all these components changes. This is what causes the unpleasant symptoms of this period. Therefore, it is so important to do blood tests for female hormones with menopause.
They regulate the maturation of the egg, the onset of menstruation. After about 35-40 years, this process slows down. And after 45 years, the egg no longer matures. Therefore, menstruation ceases, and such changes are observed in the state of health of the woman.
Why do we need hormone analysis for menopause
This condition in a woman lasts several years and often causes her serious discomfort. Many begin to drink pills to relieve unpleasant symptoms, but this is useless, since their effect will be temporary. Until the hormonal background normalizes, the discomfort and disruption of the internal organs will not disappear. In many cases, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help . Serious complications often develop without it, severe chronic diseases appear, which will then be difficult to cure.
But a blood test for hormones with menopause does not need to be given to every woman. Hormonal fluctuations are not always so serious that they lead to discomfort and poor health. If a woman tolerates menopause normally, HRT is not needed, and hormone tests, too. But if you need to take medicine, it is very important to know which hormone tests for menopause will help you choose the right drug.
Hormone replacement therapy
Most often, with menopause, women are prescribed medications containing estrogen and progesterone. They help improve the tone of the pelvic muscles, normalize the emotional background, reduce the risk of heart attack. With the right HRT, you can get rid of all the unpleasant symptoms of the menopause. But for this it is important to first conduct a hormone test for a woman with menopause. He will help you choose a drug and determine its dosage.
It is impossible to make a decision on HRT independently. Such drugs have many contraindications, in addition, similar symptoms can occur for other reasons, with a normal level of hormones. It is impossible to determine this yourself. And it is contraindicated to take hormonal drugs in such cases:
- possible pregnancy;
- serious circulatory pathologies, for example, varicose veins;
- the appearance of a malignant tumor in the female genital organs or breast, as well as a hereditary predisposition to this;
- severe violations of the liver;
- uterine bleeding;
- condition after a heart attack or stroke.
What hormone tests are done with menopause
Many women know that during menopause, hormonal medications can help improve well-being. But it is impossible to determine exactly which hormones you need to take on your own. When a woman after 40 years goes to the doctor about feeling ill, headaches and hot flashes, she will be surely referred to a gynecologist for examination. Hormone tests for menopause will help determine what changes in the hormonal background have occurred.
Most often, only three analyzes are needed to confirm the onset of menopause and choose the right therapy:
- follicle-stimulating hormone;
- on luteinizing hormone;
- on estradiol.
Informative is also an indicator of the ratio of FSH and LH. In addition, the level of prolactin, progesterone, testosterone is sometimes checked. In case of serious violations in the state of health, women are also prescribed tests for thyroid hormones such as thyroxine and TSH. It is often recommended to undergo a lipid examination to determine the correct course of fat metabolism, as well as glucose.
FSH analysis
Follicle-stimulating hormone plays an important role in the body of a woman. It is important for the formation of follicles. But its main function is to stimulate the production of estrogen. And since the level of this main female hormone decreases significantly during menopause, the body responds by increasing the amount of FSH. It is produced in the pituitary gland, and not in the ovaries. Therefore, the cessation of their work does not reduce its production.
With menopause, tests for the hormone FSH mainly show its increased amount. For most women, its level will be above 20 units. In reproductive age, the amount of FSH does not exceed 10, by 40 years it is growing. With the onset of menopause, the level is already 30-40 units, and a year after menopause, it can reach 120 units.
Luteinizing hormone
If you do not know what hormone tests are given during menopause, you can skip LH. This is a luteinizing hormone, the level of which is a characteristic indicator of the hormonal background of a woman. LH is responsible for the woman’s ability to conceive, stimulates the maturation of the egg. But, despite the attenuation of childbearing functions, the level of luteinizing hormone with menopause rises. Usually it is 40-60 units, although it should be no more than 10.
It is also important to evaluate the ratio of it and follicle-stimulating hormone. Usually it is more than one, but with menopause, this indicator decreases significantly. If it drops to 0.3 units or less, all menopause symptoms will manifest themselves more intensely.
Estradiol Assay
This is one of the most important female hormones related to estrogen. He is responsible for normal fat metabolism, for the condition of bone tissue, elasticity of the skin and blood vessels. With a decrease in estradiol levels, the risk of developing osteoporosis and atherosclerosis increases.
With the onset of menopause, its level drops almost twice. Usually in women at this age, it is 35 units. This already indicates the onset of menopause. If the amount of estradiol decreases to 8 or less, serious health problems will be observed. Body weight can quickly grow, the elasticity and hydration of the skin and mucous membranes decrease, and sex drive disappears.
But an increase in the level of this hormone is also a sign of serious violations. Its amount from 80 units can be observed with malignant tumors, dysfunction of the thyroid gland or liver.
Progesterone
In blood tests for hormones with menopause, progesterone levels are often determined. Its concentration at this time can greatly decrease. Since this is one of the most important female hormones, a decrease in its amount is an indicator of the onset of menopause. Already in the first years of menopause, its level can drop to almost zero. Usually, with menopause, its amount is from 0.6 units or less. The lower this level, the more pronounced are violations of the emotional sphere, mood swings, irritability, and changes in the menstrual cycle.
Other hormones
Usually, for the choice of therapy, an analysis of female hormones is done with menopause. But sometimes other studies are required to help more accurately diagnose and avoid complications. Similar symptoms may occur due to a malfunction of the thyroid gland. Therefore, an analysis is carried out for thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone. With excessive production of these hormones, an early menopause may occur with hot flashes, sweating, weight gain, and insomnia.
Of the female hormones, prolactin is also sometimes tested. He mainly participates in the production of breast milk after childbirth. Therefore, with menopause, its amount is almost unchanged. But a strong decrease in it can lead to chest pains, and an increase - to an increase in body weight, the disappearance of sexual desire, and problems with sleep.
In severe menopause, a testosterone test may be prescribed. This is an androgenic hormone, but in the female body it also performs important functions. With a decrease in its level, there is a decrease in the production of serotonin, an increase in the amount of adipose tissue, muscle weakening, and a slowdown in metabolic processes. The development of osteoporosis, insomnia, dry skin and a malfunction of the cardiovascular system can also occur for this reason.
How to pass tests
First of all, such an examination should be carried out only as prescribed by the doctor. Only a specialist after talking with the patient can determine what level of hormones should be measured. Also, the doctor must explain to the woman what rules must be observed in order for the analysis to be reliable. Donate blood only on an empty stomach, it is advisable not to take any medicine on this day. The day before the examination, you need to give up smoking, drinking alcohol and sex, avoid increased physical exertion and nervous shocks, as this all affects the hormonal background.
In addition, it is very important to know which days to take hormone tests for menopause. After all, their level varies depending on the day of the menstrual cycle. For example, an analysis of progesterone is best done on the twenty-second day from the onset of menstruation. But it is better if the doctor determines the right day. If the woman has already stopped menstruating, then the analysis can be taken any day.