When to test with Clearblue® Menopause Stage Indicator

When in my life should I test?

Perhaps you’ve noticed a few small changes in your periods? Are they heavier than before? Or lighter? Or perhaps your cycles have changed? Maybe the time between periods has gotten shorter, or longer? Or maybe, you’ve noticed a symptom or two that you think might be related to perimenopause – anxiety, brain fog, or even a hot flash? Alternatively, you might have reached one of ‘those’ birthdays and are feeling curious about where you might be on the menopause journey?

The truth is, there is no ‘right’ time to test. Every woman’s menopause journey is unique, and therefore every woman’s decision on when, or indeed, whether to test, is hers alone.

The menopause journey has stages – while the average age of menopause is 51 years, perimenopause can typically last between 4 – 8 years and is often where women experience many of the most uncomfortable symptoms.¹

Today, 2 in 3 women feel unprepared for the menopause journey.² Clearblue® Menopause Stage Indicator provides an indication of your likely menopause stage³ to enable you to have a more effective conversation with your healthcare professional. The more you learn about your stage, the better prepared you can be.

Clearblue® Menopause Stage Indicator uses cycle information, age and tracks your follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. Click here to find out more about if is right for you.

When in my cycle can I test?

The great news is you can test at any time in your cycle. After creating an account and inputting your personal information into the Menopause Stage – Clearblue® me app, you can choose when you want to start testing. Note – you can’t start testing until the day AFTER you set up the app and you have confirmed your testing schedule, as you need to test with the first urine of the day!

After that it’s easy, the app sets a testing schedule for you. You simply take 5 easy-to-use FSH tests, on alternate days, i.e., test every other day and input the result as ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ into the app after taking each test. By taking five FSH tests on alternate days, normal variations in FSH during your cycle can be accounted for and an indication of your overall FSH levels can be determined by the algorithm.

You can set ‘reminders to test’ to help keep you on track; and once you’ve completed your 5 tests, your likely menopause stage³ will be unlocked.

Helpful hints:

• If testing during your period, you should avoid testing when you are bleeding heavily.
• Don’t worry if you need to postpone a test (or forget to take one!) – the app’s testing schedule will adjust for any missed tests up to a maximum 21 days total time from first to last test taken.

When in the day can I test?

Always use the first urine of the day because this is when your hormones are most concentrated. Yes, we know that taking a test can be the last thing on your mind when you wake up in the morning, so we’ve designed in a few things to help you along the way!

When you’re getting ready to test, make sure you download the Menopause Stage Indicator - Clearblue® me app⁴ at least the day before you want to take your first test and set up your account ready to go as you won’t be able to start testing until the next day.

During account set up, you’ll also get the chance to set up ‘reminders to test’ at any time that makes sense for you, so hopefully you’ll never forget to test, whether you’re an early riser or prefer to sleep in!

And even if you do forget to take test, no problem! The test schedule is flexible and will simply add another test onto the end until you’ve taken all your tests (maximum of 21 days from first to last test taken).

Once your account is set up the FREE-to-download app⁴ has loads of features you can start using straight away. Start logging your menopause symptoms and access educational content on the knowledge hub to learn about the menopause journey.