The menopause is a normal (physiological) transition that all women experience. Women who begin experiencing menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes above the age of 45 do not require blood tests for making the diagnosis. Blood tests for circulating hormone levels during this time are not very helpful since hormone levels fluctuate widely and may even include spells with very high oestrogen levels.
Blood tests and specialist assessment are important for women whose periods stop before the age of 40.