I'm considering purchasing one of those over-the-counter FSH tests to see if I'm in peri. I don't really need it, as I have ALL the symptoms of per, but I'm curious and wonder if anyone else out there has tried the test? Is is accurate? I guess I'd like confirmation that what I'm going through really is peri; I can't imagine what else it could be...

I don't have an answer for you but I thought I might "bump" this up to see if someone else does.

I'm Curious Where Do you Buy These Testing Kits????
Thank You
sdblue

There are many labs online that will test your FSH, I think they call it blood spot testing, I'm not sure how reliable the saliva tests would be on this one. That said, I can tell you that when I was struggling at 38 my FSH was in the "normal" range and because of that my doctor dismissed my symptoms, gave me some antidepressants, and sent me on my way!

You know your body better than anyone else, but I could see where "seeing" that you are in perimenopause would help you feel less anxious about what is going on!

Best wishes...


TJ

A friend of mine purchased one in a supermarket in the pharmacy area of the store. My understanding is it was a urine, pregnancy-type test, but used to check FSH level as related to menopause.

Just found this explanation on the internet:

"Follicle stimulation hormone test

A woman's gynecologist or family doctor can run a simple and fast Follicle Stimulation Hormone (FSH) test to determine if a woman is perimenopausal, or it can now be done at home.

Follicle-stimulating hormone encourages the ovaries to produce estrogen. During her fertile years a woman normally has very low levels of FSH, generally less than 20 or so nanograms per milliliter of blood. As women age, however, the ovaries respond less and less to escalating levels of FSH. In turn, the pituitary gland produces more FSH, seeking to prod the ovaries into producing more estrogen. Thus, elevated levels of FSH are normally associated with decreased estrogen levels and the onset of perimenopause."