Hormonal Imbalance Tests

A woman experiencing symptoms of hormone imbalance may find taking a hormone test useful. A hormone test should be able to ascertain whether a hormonal imbalance and the onset of the menopause is in fact the root cause of a woman's health problems.

Additionally, comparing a woman's hormone levels to the normal range for her age will help medical professionals evaluate how hormone replacement therapy can, or has influenced a woman's hormone levels. Because hormone levels fluctuate and are in a state of continual change many medical professionals would advise a woman to get tested more than once so as to get a more accurate picture of her hormone levels.

There are four standard tests and any one of these will help determine what is happening within a woman's body:

FSH Blood Level Measurement
The FSH test measures the level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in a woman's blood. In women, FSH stimulates the production of eggs and is essential for the regulation of menstruation. The test involves a simple blood sample being taken, which is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Estrogen (Estradiol) Levels Test
An estrogen test measures the level of the most important estrogen hormones (estradiol, estriol, and estrone) in a blood or urine sample. Estradiol is the primary type of estrogen and is produced in a woman's ovaries. It is a hormone which is essential for the reproductive cycle. The test will help determine if a woman's estrodiol levels are lower than normal, which could be a sign of ovarian failure or early menopause.

Salivary Hormone Test
Salivary testing is not as widely used as blood testing, but it is often quicker and less expensive. During the test a doctor will take samples of a woman's saliva to check the levels of hormones she is producing and to see if she has any deficiencies. It is also possible to order home testing kits, but it is advisable to go over the results with a health professional.

Ultrasound
This test would usually only be used is a woman was concerned about the onset of early menopause and the effect that this would have on her fertility. A doctor would use high resolution ovarian ultrasound to view a woman's ovaries and to determine whether she has any eggs and follicles.

Now that the types of hormonal imbalance tests have been explained, continue reading to find out about hormonal imbalance symptoms.

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