Skip to main content
GPhC Registered | NHS Approved | 4.9⭐ Google Rating | Same Day Appointments | Distance Selling Pharmacy

Perimenopause / menopause symptoms testing

Women’s health

Written by the Veritas Pharmacy clinical team · 113 Chester Road, Sunderland · GPhC Registered 9012617

Hot flushes, disrupted sleep, mood changes, periods that no longer follow any pattern. Perimenopause and menopause bring a wide range of symptoms, and they do not always arrive together or in the order you would expect. This guide explains what is happening, how hormone testing can help, and what support is available.

Perimenopause and menopause: what is the difference?

Menopause is defined as the point 12 months after your last period. Everything leading up to that, which can last several years, is called perimenopause. During perimenopause, oestrogen levels fluctuate rather than steadily declining, which is part of why symptoms can feel unpredictable, coming and going rather than building gradually.

Most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age in the UK around 51. Menopause before 45 is called early menopause, and before 40 is called premature menopause, both of which are worth discussing with a clinician specifically.

Common symptoms

Symptoms vary widely between individuals, both in which ones appear and how strongly. Common experiences include:

Hot flushes and night sweats Irregular or changed periods Sleep disturbance Mood changes or low mood Brain fog or poor concentration Reduced libido

Because many of these symptoms overlap with thyroid problems, stress, and other conditions, it is genuinely useful to have hormone levels checked rather than assuming everything is down to menopause.

How hormone testing helps

A Perimenopause and Menopause Profile blood test measures oestradiol, luteinising hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone, and thyroid stimulating hormone. Together, these markers help confirm whether you are likely to be perimenopausal, menopausal, or postmenopausal, and the thyroid stimulating hormone result helps rule out a thyroid problem causing similar symptoms.

For women under 45, hormone testing can be particularly useful in understanding where things stand. For women over 45 with classic symptoms, treatment decisions are often guided mainly by symptoms rather than test results alone, since hormone levels naturally fluctuate a great deal during this stage.

What helps

Support ranges from lifestyle measures, such as regular exercise, reducing alcohol and caffeine, and improving sleep habits, through to hormone replacement therapy, which involves replacing declining oestrogen and, if needed, other hormones. Hormone replacement therapy can be started via your general practitioner at any age on the NHS, and the right approach depends on your symptoms, medical history, and personal preference. A pharmacist consultation can also help if you would like a faster, more flexible route to discuss your symptoms and next steps.

Want clarity on your hormones? Book a Perimenopause and Menopause Profile.

Book hormone testing

Or call 0191 503 4053 · 113 Chester Road, Sunderland SR4 7HG

Menopause FAQs

What does the Menopause Profile test measure?
It measures oestradiol, luteinising hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone, and thyroid stimulating hormone. Together these help confirm menopause status and rule out a thyroid cause for similar symptoms. It costs £79, plus a £35 phlebotomy fee per visit.
Can I get hormone replacement therapy privately at Veritas Pharmacy?
Hormone replacement therapy is available on the NHS via your general practitioner at any age. A private pharmacist consultation can help discuss your symptoms and testing options and support you in deciding on the right next step.
How do I know if it is perimenopause or a thyroid problem?
Many symptoms overlap, which is exactly why the Menopause Profile includes a thyroid stimulating hormone marker alongside the reproductive hormones, helping distinguish between the two.
Is hormone testing useful if I am under 45?
Yes, it can be particularly helpful for women under 45 in understanding where they are in the menopause transition, especially if periods have become irregular or symptoms have started earlier than expected.
Do I need to prepare for a hormone blood test?
No special preparation is usually needed, though your clinician may advise on cycle timing if you are still having periods, since some hormones vary through the menstrual cycle.

Related reading: Perimenopause and Menopause Profile · Hormone testing · Book a private pharmacist consultation

hormone testing, hot flushes, HRT, menopause hormone testing, menopause symptoms, perimenopause, women's health Sunderland