Perimenopause can feel like a mystery. One day you’re fine, the next you’re bloated, moody, and awake at 3am wondering if you’re losing your mind. Many women ask me:
“Can I test for perimenopause?”
The short answer: there is no single test that can confirm perimenopause. But there are important facts to know.
What Is Perimenopause?
- Perimenopause is the transition period leading up to menopause.
- It usually starts in your late 30s or 40s and can last 8-15 years.
- Menopause is confirmed when you’ve gone 12 months without a period.
Common Symptoms of Perimenopause
Every woman’s experience is different, but some of the most common symptoms include:
- Irregular or heavier periods
- Hot flushes and night sweats
- Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
- Sleep problems
- Weight gain (especially around the belly)
- Brain fog and poor concentration
- Breast tenderness or migraines
- Changes in skin, hair, or joints
Can You Test for Perimenopause?
This is where it gets tricky.
- Blood tests (FSH, oestrogen, progesterone) can be run, but hormone levels fluctuate daily so one reading doesn’t prove much.
- Thyroid and iron tests are often done to rule out other conditions that mimic perimenopause.
- Age and cycle changes are usually the biggest clues.
Doctors may say your results are “normal,” but your symptoms may tell a different story. Hormones shift like a rollercoaster in perimenopause, so the best “test” is often your lived experience.
Where Testing Can Help
Testing is useful to:
- Rule out thyroid disease, anaemia, or other health issues.
- Provide baseline data before starting HRT.
- Check other midlife health markers (cholesterol, blood sugar, vitamin D).
But no test will tell you definitively that you are in perimenopause.
What Actually Matters Most
- Track your cycle and symptoms month by month.
- Pay attention to changes in your mood, sleep, energy, and weight.
- Use blood tests to rule out other causes, not as the only answer.
- Get support to manage your health through nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle strategies that work with your hormones.
My Own Experience
When I was 37, my blood work came back “normal.” The doctor said I was too young for perimenopause. Meanwhile, I was gaining weight, anxious, and couldn’t sleep. The test didn’t help me but tracking my symptoms and changing how I ate, trained, and recovered did.
That’s why I coach women through this stage. You don’t have to wait for a doctor to confirm what your body already knows.
Take the Next Step
If you’re wondering whether you’re in perimenopause, or you’re tired of the weight gain, brain fog, and exhaustion, I’ve created a free Perimenopause Guide that explains:
- The key hormones involved
- Why symptoms show up
- What you can do right now to take control
👉 [Download your free Perimenopause Guide here] lifehackcoaching.nz/opt-in-page
You don’t need to wait for a test. You need a plan. And that starts today.
