Tests every post menopausal woman should do

The average age for women to reach menopause is 51. However, menopause can occur as early as age 40 or as late as age 60. Menopause is a natural biological process that signals the end of a woman's reproductive years. It is the result of a decrease in the production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone by the ovaries.

During menopause, women may experience a variety of symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and weight gain. These symptoms are caused by the fluctuating hormone levels that are characteristic of menopause. While menopause is a natural process, the symptoms can be disruptive to a woman's life as well as to her mental health. Luckily, there are treatments available to help ease the signs of menopause.

How Can I Recognize That I'm Postmenopausal?

In most cases, women are considered to be in their postmenopausal phase if they have not had their menstruation for an entire year.

There are a few different ways to tell if you're postmenopausal. 

One way is to look at your menstrual cycle. If you haven't had a period in 12 months, you're likely postmenopausal. 

Another way to tell is by having a blood test to measure your levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). If your FSH levels are high, it's a sign that you're postmenopausal. 

Finally, you may experience some physical changes, such as hot flashes and night sweats, which can be indicative of menopause.

If you're unsure whether or not you're postmenopausal, it's best to speak to your doctor.

Menopause has three stages: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.

Perimenopause: It is the time before menopause. During this phase, the hormones start declining, and the menstrual cycle becomes irregular. You will also start experiencing some of the menopause symptoms.

Menopause: During menopause, your body stops producing menstrual hormones, and you have no periods for 12 months. After this period is over, you enter the postmenopausal stage. Some of the common menopause symptoms are hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, uneasiness, etc.

Postmenopause: After 12 months of menopause, your body enters the postmenopausal stage. Once you enter this phase, you will not get periods for the rest of your life. In this phase, you might experience insomnia, vaginal dryness, depression, a change in sexual drive, and sexual discomfort, as well as an increased risk of osteoporosis and other heart diseases.

Important Tests To Perform When You Reach The Postmenopause Stage

There are a few important tests that women should get done once they reach the postmenopause stage. These include a mammogram, a Pap test, and a bone density test. A mammogram is an X-ray of the vagina that can help detect breast cancer. A Pap test helps detect changes in the cells of the cervix, which could lead to cervical cancer. A bone density test is used to measure the density of the bones and can help detect osteoporosis.

These are just some of the tests that are required during the postmenopausal stage. Let’s discuss these tests in detail.

Physical Examination

This is the most basic form of test. You need to keep track of your periods, vaginal discharge, and other symptoms. Before you visit the doctor, you must make a list of all the medicines and supplements you are taking. 

• What is the relevancy of this test: Physical examination helps identify the most basic symptoms of postmenopause. During the physical examination, the doctor helps in identifying your symptoms based on period irregularities, discharge, vaginal dryness, and hot flashes, and can also include a breast examination, a blood pressure test, etc.

Complete Blood Count Test

A complete blood count (CBC) is a type of blood test that is used to assess overall health and identify a variety of conditions. It measures several elements in the blood like haemoglobin, hematocrit, red and white blood cells, and platelets.

• What is the significance of this test: A complete blood count helps to diagnose anaemia and the underlying reason for this condition. It also helps in guiding doctors to provide the medications and give the right direction for treatment. Another reason for the CBC test is to check for the signs of menopause and the effects of medicines..

Thyroid Function Tests

Thyroid function tests are a series of tests that help determine how well your thyroid gland is functioning. T3, T3RU, T4, and TSH tests are among those available. 

• What is the significance of this test: Thyroid hormones and TSH levels in the blood can be affected by changes in the amount of oestrogen produced by the ovaries during menopause. It can be difficult to distinguish between hypothyroidism and menopause symptoms because they are often similar. A comprehensive thyroid test aids in determining the impact of menopause and postmenopause on the thyroid gland.

Liver Function Tests

Liver function tests help in identifying and monitoring liver diseases. This test also determines how well the liver is producing proteins and clearing bilirubin. The test analyses different levels of albumin, an alanine transaminase (ALT) test, an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) test, an aspartate aminotransferase (AST) test, and bilirubin.

• What is the significance of this test: During the menopause and postmenopausal phases, you experience hormonal imbalance and a decrease in oestrogen levels. This causes mitochondrial malfunction, cellular senescence, a decrease in the immune system's response to injury, and an imbalance between the production of antioxidants and oxidative stress. This results in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatocellular carcinoma, and fibrosis in the liver, which is seen in postmenopausal women. Boosted AST levels are a sign of liver disease, and muscle disease and high APT are seen in cases of bone disorder and blockage in the bile duct.

Kidney Function Tests

Kidney function tests include urine or blood tests. These tests measure the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), blood urine nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine. 

• What is the significance of this test: Post-menopausal women make up the majority of CKD (chronic kidney disease) patients. Estrogen hormones play an important role in chronic renal diseases. The higher level of creatinine (>1.2 milligrams/delimiter) in menopausal women indicates kidney disorder. Your GFR level must also be more than 60 mL/min/1.73m^2.

Lipid Profile Test

A lipid panel or lipid profile test is a cholesterol test that measures the amount of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides (TG) in your blood.

• What is the significance of this test: During the transition from menopause to postmenopause, there is a change in hormones that has a negative impact on cholesterol. This raises the levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoprotein, as well as lowering the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Urinalysis

A urine test is an easy, non-invasive procedure to check for urinary tract infections, diabetes, and other kidney-related issues using your urine sample. It includes three major parts: the visual examination, the microscopic examination, and the dipstick test.

• What is the significance of this test: Urinalysis is an important test during menopause. FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the female body. Each month, its levels rise, stimulating the ovarian follicles to deliver a mature egg. Your ovaries stop generating eggs during menopause, and your FSH levels increase. A urine urinalysis test measures the level of FSH in your urine.

Pap Smear Test and HPV Test

HPV testing and a Pap smear test are procedures for screening women for cervical cancer. In these tests, cells from your cervix are collected and tested for the development of cancer. 

• What is the significance of this test: Every female should get a Pap smear and HPV test until age 65, especially menopausal women. A group of viruses known as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) can result in genital warts, aberrant cells, and specific types of cancer. It is transmitted via vaginal or skin-to-skin contact. You can prevent cervical cancer from developing by first identifying these abnormal cells using these tests.

Mammogram

A mammogram is a breast x-ray that is primarily used for screening for breast cancer and seeing other abnormalities in the breast. In a mammogram x-ray, the breasts are squeezed between two surfaces to spread the tissue.

• What is the significance of this test: The probability of women developing breast cancer is quite high. Two-dimensional pictures of the breast are produced by conventional mammography. Mammograms are essential for the early detection of breast cancer. They are capable of recognising breast cancer before symptoms and signs show up. It has been established that mammograms lower the chances of death due to breast cancer.

STI Test

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), happen when bacteria, parasites, or viruses enter the body through blood, anal, vaginal, oral, or sexual intercourse. 

• What is the significance of this test: STI testing is a procedure for testing sexually transmitted infections using a sample of urine, blood, tissue, or saliva. Some of the most common STIs are chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, and herpes. The estrogen level of women declines as they grow older. As a result, the tissue lining becomes thin, which promotes the growth of micro-abrasions and increases the chance of STIs. Various types of viruses, including HPV, can result in genital warts.

DEXA Scan

A DEXA (Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry) scan is a medical imaging test used to determine bone density. 

• What is the significance of this test: The DEXA test is used to diagnose osteoporosis, osteopenia, and other bone-related disorders. As a woman ages, her bone density decreases, making her more prone to fractures and cracks..

Faecal Occult Blood Test

The faecal occult blood test is a non-invasive laboratory test to check for occult blood in the stool. Occult blood is invisible blood or blood that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

• What is the significance of this test: During postmenopause, women's health becomes weak, which may have an effect on the digestive tract and can lead to ulcers, polyps, colorectal cancer, and other digestive problems. A faecal occult blood test helps in identifying the disease at an early stage so that you can get proper treatment.

ECG

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a painless test to record the heart’s electrical activity and use it for diagnostic purposes. It helps in the detection of chronic heart ailments.

• What is the significance of this test: Women during menopause and postmenopause are more vulnerable to heart disease due to hormonal imbalances.

Some other tests that might be required during the postmenopausal stage are colonoscopies, vitamin D, and vitamin B-12 tests.

Summing Up

During the postmenopausal stage, a woman's hormones fluctuate, resulting in women's health issues. If you notice any changes in your body after menopause, you should seek medical attention immediately.