Understanding the diagnosis

Diagnosis of perimenopause and menopause can be complex and a long process for many women. In the UK it can take women several years to receive the right diagnosis and treatment.

When it comes to diagnosing menopause, healthcare professionals consider factors such as your age, menstrual cycle changes and symptoms, rather than relying on blood tests alone.

Diagnosing perimenopause and menopause can be a complex and sometimes lengthy process for many women. Symptoms often develop gradually and can be mistaken for other health conditions, making it difficult to recognise when the menopause transition has begun.

Common signs of perimenopause include irregular periods, hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes, anxiety, fatigue and difficulty sleeping. However, menopause symptoms vary considerably between women, and not everyone experiences the same changes.

When it comes to diagnosing menopause, healthcare professionals consider your age, symptoms and menstrual history. For women aged 45 and over, a perimenopause diagnosis or menopause diagnosis is usually based on symptoms rather than blood tests. Hormone blood tests for menopause may be recommended in certain circumstances, particularly for younger women or when other health conditions need to be investigated.

At Menoclinic, our dedicated specialists work with you to create a personal plan using NICE guidelines and the British Menopause Society (BMS) tools. The tools are designed to monitor the range of symptoms women experience both before and after menopause treatments. This helps us to understand the changes and impacts of different symptoms enabling us to tailor your treatment plan.

Under the current guidelines, for women aged 45 and over, diagnosis is based on symptoms, not blood tests. If you are under the age of 45 blood test are used to diagnose menopause.

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Frequently asked questions

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Menopause is typically diagnosed based on the symptoms you’re experiencing. Common signs include changes in period frequency and flow. If you notice these changes or other symptoms associated with menopause, make an appointment with our menopausal practitioner.

They can offer you more insight into your health and confirm whether you’re entering the menopausal stage. This can help you understand your experiences and decide if it’s time to seek professional advice.

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Every woman experiences the menopausal transition differently and the changes impact different aspects of your health and well-being.

Metabolic changes: Changes in how we use and process energy. Women may experience changes in their fat distribution and storage resulting in gaining weight more quickly or finding it hard to lose the weight.
Body Composition: Changes in muscle mass, fat distribution and general shape are brought about by menopause. You may find variations in the way your clothes fit or in the way your body fat is distributed.
Physical function: Includes reduced energy levels, reduced stamina and changes in exercise tolerance.
Cardiovascular Health: Menopause can impact on cardiovascular function, resulting in changes in blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It is essential to maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Bone Health: Reduction in the oestrogen levels increases the risk of osteoporosis and bone fracture. It’s critical to prioritise bone-strengthening exercise and adequate calcium and Vitamin D.
Other symptoms: Menopause can also cause a variety of other symptoms including vaginal dryness, mood swings, hot flushes, night sweats and cognitive problems. The severity and duration of these symptoms differ from person to person

Menopause is a normal and predictable phase of every woman’s life. By understanding these changes and taking proactive steps to support healthier lifestyles and better nutrition, you may effectively manage this transition with resilience and well-being.

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The process happens slowly over 3 stages:

1. Perimenopause: You still have a period, however, it may be irregular but it hasn’t stopped. The average age is around 47 years
2. Menopause: This is when you have not had a period/bleed for 12 consecutive months. The average age is 51 years.
3. Post-Menopausal: This starts when you hit the year mark from your final period

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The drop in oestrogen levels can cause more frequent or worse headaches during the perimenopause stage. In some women, this may cause migraines which can lead to dizziness and vertigo.

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It’s crucial to monitor your menopause treatment and progress, which is why we recommend:

Initial consultation
First Review – at 3 months later
Follow-ups – at 6-month intervals
Annual Review

The regular check-in helps us monitor how you’re doing and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan — mostly because HRT often takes around 3 months to start working.

After this initial phase, we recommend settling into a yearly consultation. These annual check-ups are essential to ensure that your menopause care remains successful and to address any new concerns or changes.

Of course, you are always welcome to schedule an appointment if you feel the need for one earlier than planned. We are available to assist you as you navigate the menopause.

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No, a doctor’s recommendation is not required for you to begin using Menoclinic. You can just get in touch and schedule an appointment immediately, the majority of ladies see us on their own recommendation.

It might be beneficial to bring copies of any prior blood test results or letters from medical consultations to your appointments. As an alternative, you can send them to us in advance via email. This information can be very helpful in providing us with a fuller picture of your medical history, allowing us to better customise your care.

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In most cases, you won’t need a blood test for us to determine if you’re in perimenopause or menopause. Symptoms are frequently used to diagnose these stages rather than results from a blood test.

If you’re young and are showing signs of menopause, we may recommend a blood test. This is to confirm the diagnosis and ensure that your symptoms are not caused by anything else. Additionally, if we’re trying to get a better understanding of how your body is absorbing treatment or deciding on the best treatment approach, a blood test might come into play.