Is There any Test to Diagnose Menopause?
The most accurate way to diagnose menopause is when a woman has not had a period for 12 consecutive months. You should keep a calendar to note the dates of your periods so you can notice when they become irregular.
As the ovaries stop producing estrogen,
blood FSH levels drop and can be detected in a blood test
because the ovaries are no longer absorbing it.
As estrogen levels drop, symptoms such as vaginal dryness and hot flashes appear.
As estrogen levels drop, the tissues around the vagina also thin.
A Pap smear is done to check for this.
This thinning can lead to urinary incontinence, painful intercourse, decreased libido, and vaginal itching.
