Where can you get a blood test to find out if you are going through perimenopause?

Perimenopause is a phase of gradual hormonal transition, often characterised by a variety of symptoms. When in doubt, the question of blood tests arises. Understanding the usefulness of these analyses, their limitations, and the circumstances in which they are relevant can help to provide greater clarity when navigating this stage.

Why get a blood test if you are unsure?

Perimenopause cannot be defined by a single test or specific biological indicator. Although menstrual cycles are still present, they become more variable, and hormones can fluctuate significantly from one cycle to the next.

In this context, a blood test is not intended to provide a formal diagnosis. Instead, its primary role is to offer insights, provided it is correctly performed and interpreted. A biological assessment can reveal:

• fluctuations in estrogen,
• a relative decrease in progesterone,
• a progressive increase in FSH.

These results are only meaningful when interpreted in the context of age, cycle regularity, and personal experiences.

Blood tests also play an exclusionary role. Certain disorders, particularly thyroid or metabolic disorders, can cause symptoms similar to those observed in perimenopause. Identifying them helps to avoid incomplete or erroneous interpretations.

At what point in the cycle should hormone tests be performed?

Hormone tests related to the menstrual cycle cannot be performed at any time. Ideally, hormone assessment should be based on two distinct stages:

• A more comprehensive initial analysis at the beginning of the cycle, ideally on the third day of menstruation, to assess estrogen, FSH, and other basic parameters.
• A second, more targeted analysis, approximately 7 days after the ovulation peak, to assess progesterone secretion and the rise in estrogen.

However, this second step can be more difficult to achieve during perimenopause, as ovulation markers often become less clear and cycles become more irregular. In this context, interpretation must remain cautious and comprehensive. It is important to remember that a blood test reflects a specific moment in the cycle. In perimenopause, the focus is therefore more on putting the results into perspective than on the isolated numerical value.

Where can this test be done?

Several options are available, depending on the care pathway and the level of support desired.

In a medical analysis lab

Medical analysis laboratories are the most common solution for performing prescribed hormone tests, such as estradiol, progesterone, FSH, or thyroid hormones. Samples are collected according to standardized protocols, ensuring the analytical reliability of the results.

The laboratory provides the measured values and their reference ranges. Clinical interpretation then falls to the healthcare professional.

In a hospital or clinic

Hospitals and clinics also offer these checkups, particularly as part of gynecological or endocrinological follow-up care. This option is often part of a more comprehensive approach, combining clinical examination, medical consultation, and laboratory tests.

With or without a prescription: what do you need to know?

In France, most hormone level tests require a medical prescription. This enables reimbursement by the French Health Insurance system and ensures the clinical relevance of the requested analyses.

However, in some cases, it is possible to have blood tests performed without a prescription.

The analyses are then at the expense of the individual and are not accompanied by a medical interpretation. This option may meet a need for personal reference, but it has its limitations.

Without a prescription, the selection of tests or measurements may be incomplete or inappropriate, making the interpretation of results more challenging. Biological values, particularly during perimenopause, require interpretation that considers the menstrual cycle, age, and overall health context. An isolated figure, even if technically reliable, is not sufficient for a conclusion on its own.

Consulting a healthcare professional helps avoid anxiety-provoking interpretations and integrates the blood test into a consistent approach. The test then becomes a tool for understanding, rather than an end in itself.

The blood tests mentioned are only performed in cases of natural cycles or when using mechanical contraception (condoms or copper IUDs). However, no hormone testing (estrogen, progesterone, etc.) is performed on women using hormonal contraception, such as the pill, implants, or IUDs.