Disclaimer: Not everyone who goes through menopause identifies as a woman and not all people who identify as women go through menopause. At Jayla, our core audience is people who identify as women, so we primarily use the word “women.” However, we’re working on specific content for people going through menopause who might not identify women. Inclusivity is a key value of ours, so bear with us!
You’re waking up at 3 am in a puddle of sweat, forgetting what day it is, and tearing up during Martin reruns. You’re also starting to wonder: Is this perimenopause? Or am I just losing it?
Cue the scroll spiral. Google leads you to hormone tests, medical forums, and one very confident influencer telling you to eat more yams. Suddenly, an at-home hormone test kit sounds kind of genius. But will it actually give you answers?
Let’s break it down. Here’s what hormone testing can tell you, what it definitely can’t, and how Jayla’s approach fits into the bigger picture.
Can a hormone test tell me if I’m in perimenopause?
Not exactly. We wish it were that simple. But perimenopause isn’t like getting a golden ticket to Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour. There’s no confetti cannon, no “welcome to the next era” message, and definitely no neat lab result that stamps “you’ve entered the hormonal rollercoaster!” on your chart.
Here’s why: during perimenopause, hormones fluctuate like a playlist on shuffle. They don’t follow a steady, graceful decline. Your Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) might rise for a bit, then settle down again. Estrogen can dip, spike, or level out without warning. It’s unpredictable, which means a single hormone test gives you just one moment in time, rather than the full picture.
According to the North American Menopause Society, when your FSH is consistently above 30 and you haven’t had a period for 12 months, that’s menopause. (1) Most women don’t reach that milestone until after years of hot-flashy, foggy-brained chaos. That “in-between” phase is perimenopause. It’s the natural transition when your hormone levels begin to fluctuate as your body moves toward menopause. While it can be unpredictable, it’s also an opportunity to better understand your body and what it needs. And testing won’t always catch it.
Each woman will experience perimenopause differently.
Why do some doctors avoid hormone testing during perimenopause?
The results of menopause hormone tests can be inconsistent. Many doctors don’t routinely order hormone tests to determine perimenopause, especially if you’re over 45. That’s because hormone levels like FSH and estrogen can swing wildly from day to day (more on what they are later), making it tough to get a clear read from a single test. Instead, they often rely on your symptoms, period patterns, and age, which are often more reliable indicators of what’s really going on.
Still, just because some doctors don’t offer testing doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Especially if you’re the kind of person who likes data and wants to better understand your body. That’s where at-home menopause hormone test kits come in.
How can I use an at-home hormone test to help understand if I’m entering perimenopause?
Just because many doctors don’t use menopause hormone tests, doesn’t mean you can’t use at-home menopause test kits. The key is to think of hormone testing as one piece of the puzzle, not the whole picture. Because your hormone levels can swing up and down, the best practice is to take multiple tests spaced out over several days, and then repeat if needed in a few weeks or months. This helps you track fluctuations instead of relying on a single snapshot. The Jayla test, for example, is once a day every other day, five times. Pair those results with close attention to your symptoms and menstrual changes. Whenever possible, use the data as a conversation starter with your healthcare provider so you can put all the pieces together for a clearer understanding of where you are in your perimenopause journey.
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Which hormones are typically tested to help understand perimenopause?
When it comes to perimenopause, the key hormones to keep an eye on are follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen (especially estradiol), and sometimes luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone.
Key Hormones to Know (2)
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Signals the ovaries to produce eggs. First hormone to rise during perimenopause as ovarian function slows.
Estrogen (especially Estradiol)
The main female sex hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle and affects many body systems. Levels fluctuate widely during perimenopause.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
Triggers ovulation each month. Like FSH, its levels can change as menopause approaches.
Progesterone
Prepares the uterus for pregnancy each cycle. Levels often decline during perimenopause, contributing to changes in menstruation.
FSH levels begin to rise as the ovaries start to wind down, while estrogen levels can fluctuate unpredictably. (3) Typically, testing starts with FSH because it is the first hormone to rise and a key indicator of ovarian function; additional hormone tests may be ordered by your provider based on your symptoms and individual health needs. Tracking these hormones over time helps give a clearer picture of where you are in the transition. Some tests may also look at other hormones like thyroid or cortisol to rule out other causes of symptoms. Remember, no single hormone test tells the whole story. It’s the pattern and symptoms together that matter most.
Do I need a hormone test before I can start HRT?
Nope. This one’s a big myth. People often think that if your estrogen is low, you need to “top it off” like oil in a car. But your body isn’t a perfectly crafted poem, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) isn’t prescribed based on hitting a magic hormone level.
Hormones don’t follow a strict script, and neither does HRT. Providers base HRT on your symptoms. They typically start with the lowest effective dose and adjust based on how you respond.
So if testing doesn’t diagnose perimenopause or guide HRT, is it even worth it?
Absolutely, if you understand what it can give you. Testing isn’t a crystal ball. But it is a tool. And for many women, that little bit of clarity can go a long way. Especially when the rest of the world is still shrugging and telling you it’s “just stress.”
At-home menopause test kits can:
- Help you understand where you are on the menopause timeline
- Add context to the symptoms you’re experiencing
- Start a more informed conversation with your provider
- Validate what you’re feeling (you’re not imagining things, promise)
What if my hormone levels look “normal”? Does that mean I’m fine?
Not exactly. Those “normal” ranges come from big population averages, not your unique self. You could have textbook hormone numbers and still feel like a human furnace running on anxiety and confusion. That’s why tuning into how you actually feel and working with a healthcare provider who truly listens matters way more than fitting neatly into a lab chart.
So don’t let a “normal” result make you doubt your own experience. If you’re struggling, you absolutely deserve support, no questions asked.
Whether you are in perimenopause or not, you are and will continue to be fine. It is not about the label, but about managing your symptoms in a way that supports your well-being. With the right care and attention, you can navigate this phase confidently and thrive, not just settle for “fine.”
Can I use hormone testing to track changes over time?
Yes! That’s where it can get interesting. If you test periodically (think monthly, or every few months), you might start to notice patterns. It’s not always clear or linear, but it can help you feel a little less in the dark.
When you combine that tracking with symptom journaling or support from a provider, you’re not just surviving perimenopause. You’re getting smarter about it.
How can Jayla’s at-home menopause test kit help you?
A holistic analysis for a holistic treatment
Jayla’s kit gives you a look behind the curtain. Right now, the test measures your FSH level—the key hormone recommended by the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) to help understand where you are in the menopause transition. All of this happens from the comfort of your own bathroom (no lab draw involved).
But here’s the important part: every test comes with a telehealth consultation. Testing gives you the what. Jayla’s providers help you figure out the so what. Is your FSH high, and your sleep a mess? Are you experiencing symptoms that might be related to your hormone levels?
Your Jayla provider will connect the dots by taking a holistic view of your symptoms, lifestyle, and health history. From there, Jayla offers a tailored treatment plan that may include supplements, mental health support, physical training, or HRT if it’s the right fit for you. This isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s your body, your plan.
References
1. The North American Menopause Society (NAMS), 2022. The 2022 hormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society. [online] NAMS. Available at: https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/professional/nams-2022-ht-position-statement.pdf [Accessed 19 Jul. 2025].
2. North American Menopause Society, 2022. Menopause Practice: A Clinician’s Guide (7th edition). Cleveland, OH: North American Menopause Society.
3. Burger, H.G., 2008. The endocrinology of the menopause. Maturitas, 61(1-2), pp. 12-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2008.06.014
