acnemom
06-26-2005, 10:54 AM
I saw a kit to test for menopause in local drugstore. Does anyone know if these are accurate?
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Sissypie
06-26-2005, 05:41 PM
I haven't seen them here yet, but after reading your post it sparked a curiosity. I did a little searching on the net, and they seem to be based on the same idea as an at home pregnancy kit. From what I read it is limited to detecting an elevated FSH level in your urine. It isn't able to give you the detailed information that you can get with a blood test, but it might be able to eliminate some of the guesswork that comes with the symptoms of perimenopause.
Would you mind my asking what drug store you found it at?
Thanks for sharing the information.
Sandi
Would you mind my asking what drug store you found it at?
Thanks for sharing the information.
Sandi
acnemom
06-27-2005, 11:45 AM
I saw it at Walgreens
Sissypie
06-27-2005, 06:13 PM
Great, thanks!
rmc12
06-27-2005, 06:17 PM
Hi,
I have seen them also. I do not know how old you are but by the fact that anyone is in their mid 40s to late 40s they are in perimenopause. I had a FSH test done in my mid 40s and my gyn said that I was not near menopause but I was in peri menopause (the time before) due to the slight changes I was having in my cycle. (I am now 51 and still getting periods but they are more erratic than before) .
Also due to fluctuating hormones at this time the tests , whether it be over the counter or at the drs. are not real reliable as our hormones are jumping all over so you can test one way one day and another the next.
I wanted to get one done again a couple years ago and my gyn just said that the fact that I was in my late 40s means I was in peri and the tests are not unforuntately going to tell us when the periods will stop.
Take care,
rmc
I have seen them also. I do not know how old you are but by the fact that anyone is in their mid 40s to late 40s they are in perimenopause. I had a FSH test done in my mid 40s and my gyn said that I was not near menopause but I was in peri menopause (the time before) due to the slight changes I was having in my cycle. (I am now 51 and still getting periods but they are more erratic than before) .
Also due to fluctuating hormones at this time the tests , whether it be over the counter or at the drs. are not real reliable as our hormones are jumping all over so you can test one way one day and another the next.
I wanted to get one done again a couple years ago and my gyn just said that the fact that I was in my late 40s means I was in peri and the tests are not unforuntately going to tell us when the periods will stop.
Take care,
rmc
lady4mycowboy
06-30-2005, 06:19 PM
I've seen those tests at Walmart. They run just under $20 for 2 in a package. I don't know how reliable they are either. I've used one and both times it came up negative. I am 35 and convinced I am peri-menopausal. Docs say I'm to young. My mother had a complete hysterectomy at 28 and went into menopause shortly thereafter. I've been having a lot of the "classic" symptoms...night sweats moodiness insomnia etc.. but they still tell me no. My periods have been averaging about 4 months apart. I've also been taking Zoloft (100 mg) and another tricyclic antidepressant (can't remember the name off the top of my head) and it's really helped with my mood and anxiety.
Good grief...I feel myself getting older...lol..not that it's a bad thing....
Good luck all!
toni
Good grief...I feel myself getting older...lol..not that it's a bad thing....
Good luck all!
toni
Sissypie
07-04-2005, 10:42 AM
I decided to purchase one of those kits, mainly for curiosity. My doctor is one that doesn't consider perimenopause as a diagnosis as long as a woman is having regular monthly periods. He believes that as long as you are producing enough estrogen to create a uterine lining, and you are shedding the lining regularly, and on time that there is no reason to check.
This has been a frustrating situation for me. I've had many of the symptoms, and I can handle it if I have a reason that they are happening. My symptoms rotate, and are not consistant. Except for the constant insomnia.
As was already mentioned.....the kit comes with 2 tests. You take them 2 weeks apart. Two negatives is supposed to support that you do not have a high enough FSH level to be considered in perimenopause. But, like was already mentioned, your FSH is unstable....especially in the beginning stages.
I took my test this morning........NEGATIVE!
This has been a frustrating situation for me. I've had many of the symptoms, and I can handle it if I have a reason that they are happening. My symptoms rotate, and are not consistant. Except for the constant insomnia.
As was already mentioned.....the kit comes with 2 tests. You take them 2 weeks apart. Two negatives is supposed to support that you do not have a high enough FSH level to be considered in perimenopause. But, like was already mentioned, your FSH is unstable....especially in the beginning stages.
I took my test this morning........NEGATIVE!