Menopause

Alternative names:

change of life; climacteric

Symptoms:

Symptoms, when present, may include:

• Hot flashes and skin flushing.
• Mood changes.
• Decreased libido (sex drive).
• Irregular menstrual periods.
• Vaginal dryness.

Signs and tests:

A Pap smear may indicate changes in the vaginal lining (mucosa) caused by changes in estrogen levels. Blood and urine tests can be used to measure the levels of estrogen, progesterone, and plasma estradiol and estrone (part of the reproductive steroid group).

Examples of tests of this type include:

• 17-hydroxycorticosteroids
• 17-OH progesterone
• serum progesterone
• estradiol
• FSH