When perimenopause heats up, you may heat up too. Test kits may help you get a handle on your hormone status. (Getty Images)
If you've been feeling more irritable, forgetful or experiencing poor sleep and unusual menstrual cycles, it could be a sign that menopause is approaching. Perimenopause, the time leading up to menopause, usually starts in women between the ages of 45 and 55, but can occur as early as 35. Spikes and dips in estrogen along with declining progesterone can cause a range of new mood and physical symptoms, including changes to your menstrual cycle.
Menopause officially begins when a woman has gone twelve months without a menstrual period or any vaginal bleeding, explains ob-gyn Felice Gersh. Perimenopause lasts about four to 10 years and involves hormonal fluctuations and declining fertility, she adds.
An estimated 85% of women going through "the change" end up experiencing menopause symptoms like hot flashes, mood changes, vaginal dryness, joint aches or heart palpitations, all of which help signal that menopause is approaching. But even if you're symptom-free, you may be curious about your hormone profile and whether you're entering perimenopause or menopause. At-home menopause test kits are easy-to-use tools to monitor female sex hormones to determine whether you've started the transition.
These kits, which can be bought over the counter or online, assess different levels of female sex hormones including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (a form of estrogen) and progesterone. Results can help you monitor changes to your hormone profile which may help indicate whether or not perimenopause or menopause are near.
That said, using an at-home menopause test isn't the same as a clinical diagnosis, says ob-gyn Tara Scott, who emphasizes that these tests can give you a general indication of hormonal fluctuations, but that you should always see your ob-gyn for a more thorough diagnosis. Scott also says that the accuracy of these kits are affected by normal hormone fluctuations. "The results themselves can vary based on what day of your cycle you test," she says.
As a woman in the perimenopausal age range, I was very curious about these kits and was ready to do the research and testing necessary to get an idea of my own hormone levels. So, to better understand at-home menopause tests and narrow down the best options, I spoke with six experts, including board-certified ob-gyns and internal medicine physicians. Then, I personally tested eight products, considering factors like accuracy, hormones tested, cost and convenience. Here are the top five at-home menopause test picks based on the results.
Update, June 27, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Our No. 1 pick for the best menopause test kit remains unchanged.
Wait time for results: up to 5 business days | Sample type: Blood (lab draw) | Hormones tested: FSH, LH, estradiol, TSH
Lab-drawn blood tests like Quest Health’s Perimenopause Panel are the most accurate tests available — in fact, they're considered the gold standard, says board-certified internist Dr. Elizabeth Sharp. Ordering a lab test through Quest was a breeze. As soon as I made the purchase online, I was provided with available appointment times. Once I booked my lab appointment, I received an email with instructions on how to prepare. On the day of the appointment, I was in and out of the facility in a flash and received my results and detailed explanations of each component via the online portal a few days later.
The opportunity to speak with a private third-party physician is included with the test. Since my results were within the normal range, I chose not to use this service. However, it's good to know that if results require follow-up, a member of the care coordination team will contact you.
The test provides a comprehensive snapshot of key menopause-related hormones, including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) — a helpful addition that's unique to Quest. Unbalanced thyroid hormones (either too high or too low) can cause symptoms similar to menopause.
I appreciated that Quest encourages discussing your results with a health care professional, which Sharp says is essential to interpret the results accurately, provide clinical context and discuss appropriate symptom management options.
Cost: $139 | Wait time for results: 6 to 10 days | Sample type: Blood (lab draw) | Hormones tested: FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone
My experience with Labcorp OnDemand's Menopause Test was similar to the one I had with Quest. I went online to purchase a test, chose a date for my lab, received emailed instructions on how to prepare and visited the lab as scheduled for my blood draw. My wait time was about 20 minutes, and it took 10 days to receive my test results. If a follow-up is required, a clinician will contact you directly.
Since my results were normal, I accessed them online by logging into my Labcorp account, which I created when I purchased the test.
Dorr says in-person lab draws like Lapcorp's are superior in accuracy to other types of tests. Another plus? Labcorp uses CLIA-certified labs, which means that test results meet or exceed federal standards for clinical laboratory testing. The lab is also specifically timed to the third day of your menstrual cycle, which is slightly inconvenient but offers the most accurate reading, according to Scott.
Overall, the information I received from Labcorp's menopause test was easy to interpret, and because it was carefully timed, I trust the results. That said, the company recommends consulting your provider for a thorough evaluation, which Dorr strongly supports. He stresses that a person's overall health, medical history, health conditions and current medications — among other individualized factors — are essential to consider.
Wait time for results: 8 minutes | Sample type: Urine | Hormones tested: FSH
Clearblue's Menopause Stage Estimator contains five tests to track your FSH levels over 10 days. The urine tests work like typical pregnancy tests and they integrate with the provided app — you simply log the results after each test. After inputting all five results, the app provides one of four possible results for your "most likely" stage: pre-menopause, early perimenopause, late perimenopause or post-menopause.
Clearblue is an affordable option if you're interested in learning whether your FSH levels are high. Goldberg says that while urine tests measured several times give a better overview of your hormone fluctuations than a single test would, they're still not as accurate as lab-based tests. "They offer a useful preliminary indication but may not be conclusive," she says. That's why it's always advisable to consult a health care provider if you have questions or concerns.
Wait time for results: 15 minutes | Sample type: Urine | Hormones tested: LH and PdG (a progesterone metabolite) and E3G (an estrogen metabolite)
Oova's Perimenopause Hormone Kit contains 15 pairs of hormone strips. One set measures daily levels of LH and PdG, while the other measures E3G. According to Goldberg, at-home urine tests like Oova's are convenient for monitoring hormone levels over time given that levels vary daily and throughout the cycle.
The kit was informative and fairly easy to use. I first downloaded the app and followed the directions carefully. I filled the provided collection cup with urine, dipped the two strips inside, took them out and then scanned them with my camera as directed. My results were quickly visible, and after 15 days of testing, I had a clear picture of my hormonal fluctuations and trends.
While Oova's system takes the guesswork out of reading your results, a potential drawback is the cost — additional test strips for continuous monitoring will set you back $129 per month. But if you're interested in tracking your hormones long-term and don't mind the expense, this may be a good at-home option to consider.
Wait time for results: 5 to 7 days | Sample type: Finger prick blood test | Hormones tested: LH, FSH, estradiol, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, cortisol, TSH, free T3, free T4, free testosterone, thyroid peroxidase antibodies
Everlywell's Women's Health Test is a mail-in test designed for individuals who want to see whether their sex-related hormones fall within normal ranges. While this may be particularly helpful for those experiencing menopause symptoms like irregular periods, night sweats and sleep disturbances, because this test looks at 11 hormones and antibodies, it can also help determine variances in thyroid health or high or low testosterone levels that may affect mood or other areas of mental and physical health.
Following the instructions, I used an included lancet to prick my finger. Then I squeezed blood drops onto the provided test card, saturating 10 circles. I didn't love this part, but it wasn't too painful. Results, reviewed by a board-certified physician, were available in five days and came with a breakdown of each hormone marker.
Goldberg says that mail-in blood spot tests, like the ones offered by Everlywell, are a perfect balance of convenience and accuracy. She warns, however, that results may not be as precise as tests done in the lab due to the variability of home sample collection, smaller sample sizes and handling by the tester. Your best bet? Use your results as a stepping stone for further evaluation and diagnosis by a health care provider, especially an ob-gyn.
Menopause tests typically assess one or more of the following hormones:
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates the growth and maturation of the ovarian follicles containing eggs. "When your ovaries are out of business and estrogen levels tank, FSH rises in an attempt to get your ovaries to make some estrogen," explains menopause expert, professor and OB-GYN Lauren Streicher.
Luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers ovulation, the release of an egg from a mature follicle. It also stimulates the release of progesterone, which supports a potential pregnancy. Like FSH, LH levels increase during menopause as the body attempts to stimulate the ovaries.
Estradiol, a form of estrogen, is the primary female sex hormone. It regulates the menstrual cycle and maintains reproductive health. According to ob-gyn Bruce Dorr, estrogen affects tissues and systems throughout the body. It decreases sharply during menopause, which is why some menopause test kits take this hormone into account.
Progesterone thickens the lining of the uterus, or endometrium, to prepare it for egg implantation. Like with estrogen, progesterone levels fall significantly during the menopause transition.
If you're shopping for an at-home menopause test kit, considering these factors can help you find the best fit.
Hormone(s) tested: Different kits test for various hormones associated with menopause, such as estrogen, progesterone, LH and FSH. Your choice of kit depends on the hormones you want to monitor, as some tests offer a broader hormonal profile than others, which affects the accuracy of results, advises Goldberg.
Accuracy and reliability: Sharp recommends choosing a test that's been clinically validated and has a reputation for providing reliable results. She says the most accurate options are lab blood draws rather than home draws.
Speed of results: Goldberg points out that some tests return results within minutes, whereas others may return results in a matter of days. While it may be tempting to opt for the easiest, fastest test available, Dorr says that the increased accuracy of more comprehensive tests will serve you better in the long run.
Brand reputation and reviews: Goldberg recommends reviewing the brand's history and assessing the feedback of other users. "This should grant you knowledge of how well the tests work and how the customer service is at that company," she says.
Price and value: Cost should be balanced against quality, says Goldberg. "Sometimes spending a bit more gives improved accuracy and added benefits, which makes it an investment," she points out.
To find the best home menopause test kits, I tested eight products to get an impression of my own hormone profile and to confirm whether I might be entering perimenopause or menopause. I also used expert input, interviewing five board-certified ob-gyn doctors and a board-certified internist, using their advice to identify the most accurate options. Each kit was tested and evaluated on hormones tested, accuracy of results and ease of use.
Hormones can vary dramatically throughout the perimenopause years, says Gersh. She explains that while most of these tests can tell you if your hormones are behaving in a way that does or doesn't suggest perimenopause or menopause, they can't tell you for sure where you are in the transition and how your hormones will change over following weeks, months and years.
"If you are very young and your test results suggest perimenopause or menopause, you should certainly see a physician to do more testing and possibly start a treatment plan," Gersh recommends.
The best time to take an at-home menopause test is during the early morning, as hormone levels, particularly FSH, are more stable, advises Scott. "It's also recommended to take the test on the third day of your menstrual cycle if you are still having periods, as this provides a more accurate reading of your ovarian reserve," she says. Though she adds that if your periods are irregular or absent, you should follow the test's specific instructions for optimal timing.
Yes, medications and other medical conditions can affect the results of menopause test kits, says Scott. She says hormone replacement therapy (HRT), birth control pills and fertility treatments can alter hormone levels, potentially leading to inaccurate readings.
Additionally, conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid disorders can affect hormone levels, which might influence the test results — that's why it's essential to consider these factors and consult with a health care provider for accurate interpretation, Scott advises.
If you have concerns about your health, you should always see your health care provider, urges Gersh. "Remember that menopause is a transition that occurs over many years. It's not a single event. In general, medical decisions are made based on a combination of factors, including a woman's age, symptoms, medical history, a physical exam, her healthcare and reproductive goals and a variety of test results," she says.
Scott says at-home tests may provide inconsistent or incomplete information due to fluctuating hormone levels, medications and health conditions. Plus, they can't diagnose menopause definitively or assess other health issues comprehensively. "While they are cost-effective and allow for private testing at home, they lack the professional guidance and thorough interpretation that a healthcare provider can offer," she says.
Thorne Menopause Test: This test involves collecting saliva samples at home and mailing them back to a lab; results are available in eight to 10 days. While the collection method is straightforward, and I liked that a board-certified physician reviews the results, the kit is on the expensive side at $189. What's more, salivary hormonal tests are not considered accurate by the North American Menopause Society.
Mira Hormone Monitor: Clarity Kit: I loved the comprehensive features of the Mira kit, which uses an AI-powered monitor to measure and track multiple hormones. However, the monitor makes the kit pricier ($259) than similar options we tested, and some users may find the technology and app interface too complicated.
Deodoc Menopause Test: Containing two test strips that measure FSH, this rapid at-home urine test provides convenience and speed of use. However, it only contains two test strips, providing less accuracy than similar tests.
Bruce Dorr, MD, URPS, FACOG, a boarded certified ob-gyn and senior medical advisor for Biote
Felice Gersh, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn, integrative medicine physician and expert at IPL hair-removal device Ulike
Diana Goldberg, MD, a California-based ob-gyn and healthcare scientist at Health Strive
Tara Scott, MD, FACOG, FAAFM, NCMP, board-certified ob-gyn, functional and integrative medicine physician and external medical adviser at Versalie
Elizabeth Sharp, MD, IFMCP, board-certified internal medicine physician and founder and CEO of Health Meets Wellness
Lauren Streicher, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and medical director at Midi Health
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.