Menopause

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is an important part of the reproductive system. It’s responsible for the growth of ovarian follicles. Follicles produce oestrogen and progesterone in the ovaries and help maintain the menstrual cycles.

Perimenopause refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.

Elevated FSH levels can be measured to confirm menopause. When a woman’s FSH blood level is consistently elevated and she has not had a menstrual period for a year, it is generally accepted that she has reached menopause.

A single FSH level can be misleading in perimenopause because oestrogen production does not fall at a steady rate from day to day. Instead, both oestrogen and FSH levels can vary greatly during perimenopause. One elevated FSH level is not enough to confirm menopause, which is why two tests are included in each kit and are to be taken a week apart from each other to confirm the findings.