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Some of the more common signs of the menopause transition (a term that refers to the five or more years just prior to menopause) that may prompt a woman to seek consultation/assessment by a qualified health care professional include:

• Hot flashes
• Vaginal dryness
• Urinary tract infections or painful urination
• Stress incontinence (leaking of urine)
• Night sweats
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Heart palpitations
• Forgetfulness
• Mood changes
• Anxiety and irritability
• Diminished concentration
• Decreased sexual desire

Ask your health care professional about any changes you notice. And remember, menopause is not a disease; it is another life stage. (The changes listed above have not all been scientifically proven to be related to menopause.)

To determine if you are menopausal, your health care professional will carefully make an assessment of your current symptoms and administer a thorough physical examination. You will also be asked to provide a complete medical history; be sure to include information about your family medical history, as well.

Laboratory tests may include baseline serum chemistry studies, lipid evaluation and hormonal evaluation. Other tests may include:

• Pap smear
• Mammography
• Bone density screening
• Assessment of the uterine lining, when indicated
• Pelvic ultrasound screening, when indicated

Menopause is associated with substantially increased follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. For perimenopausal women, elevated FSH levels are sometimes used to confirm menopause; however, this FSH elevation is often intermittent (and therefore unreliable), so the ultimate determining factor in knowing whether you have experienced menopause is if you have not had a period for 12 consecutive months.