Hormone Therapy for Menopause: Myths, Facts and What to Ask Your Doctor

Hormone therapy for menopause is a medicine that gives back some of the estrogen your body stops making. It is the most effective treatment for hot flashes and night sweats. It also helps protect your bones. For most healthy women who start it before age 60, or within 10 years of their last period, the benefits are usually bigger than the risks. It is not right for everyone, so a doctor must check your health first. Please note: This blog shares general health information in simple words. It is not medical advice. Talk to a gynaecologist before you start, change or stop any treatment. Key Takeaways Hormone therapy is also called HRT (hormone replacement therapy) or MHT (menopausal hormone therapy). They all mean the same thing. It works best for hot flashes, night sweats, poor sleep and vaginal dryness. Timing matters. Risks are lowest when you start before 60 or within 10 years of menopause. Patches and gels have a lower risk of blood clots than tablets. Many old fears about hormone therapy came from one large study from 2002. Doctors now understand those results better. If you cannot or do not want to take hormones, there are hormone-free ways to ease your symptoms. What Is Hormone Therapy for Menopause? Menopause is when your periods stop for good. Before and after this time, your ovaries make much less estrogen and progesterone. In India, menopause happens at about 46 years on average, which is a little earlier than in many Western countries. Less estrogen can cause: Hot flashes and night sweats Trouble sleeping Mood swings and low mood Vaginal dryness and pain during sex Weaker bones over time Hormone therapy puts back a small amount of these hormones. This eases symptoms while your body adjusts. Not sure if your symptoms are from menopause? Read our complete guide to menopause in India to understand the stages and signs. What Are the Types of Hormone Therapy? There are two main types. Which one you get depends on whether you still have your womb (uterus). Type What it has Who it is for Combined hormone therapy Estrogen plus a progestogen Women who still have a womb Estrogen-only therapy Estrogen only Women who have had their womb removed Low-dose vaginal estrogen A small dose of estrogen used inside the vagina Women with vaginal dryness or urine problems Why the progestogen? Estrogen on its own can make the lining of the womb grow too thick. This raises the risk of womb cancer. The progestogen keeps the lining safe. How Is Hormone Therapy Taken? Hormone therapy comes in many forms: Tablets Skin patches Gels you rub on the skin Sprays Vaginal creams, tablets or rings The form matters. Patches, gels and sprays go in through the skin. They do not raise the risk of blood clots the way tablets can. So doctors often suggest them for women who are overweight, smoke or have other clot risks. Who Can Benefit Most From Hormone Therapy? Hormone therapy may be a good choice if: Your hot flashes or night sweats disturb your sleep or work Your mood, energy or focus has dropped because of menopause You have vaginal dryness or pain during sex Your periods stopped before 45 (early menopause) You are at risk of weak bones Early menopause is a special case. If your periods stop before 45, your body loses estrogen's protection for longer. Doctors usually advise hormones until about the normal age of menopause, unless there is a health reason not to. Read more about early menopause signs in your 30s. Who Should Not Take Hormone Therapy? Hormone therapy may not be safe if you: Have had breast cancer or womb cancer Have had a blood clot, heart attack or stroke Have bleeding from the vagina that a doctor has not checked Have active liver disease Are pregnant or might be pregnant Some of these do not always rule it out. For example, a doctor may still offer a patch or gel to someone with a past clot. Only your doctor can decide. Bleeding after menopause always needs a check. Read bleeding after menopause: what is normal and when to see a doctor. Is Hormone Therapy Safe? For most healthy women under 60, hormone therapy is considered safe when a doctor prescribes and reviews it. Here is what the risks look like in simple terms. Risk What we know Breast cancer Combined therapy slightly raises the risk. The risk grows the longer you take it and falls after you stop. Estrogen-only therapy has little or no extra risk. Blood clots Tablets slightly raise the risk. Patches, gels and sprays do not. Stroke Tablets slightly raise the risk. It stays low for women under 60. Womb cancer Only a risk if you take estrogen alone and still have a womb. This is why a progestogen is added. Heart disease Starting before 60 does not seem to raise the risk. Starting much later may. Why Did Hormone Therapy Get a Bad Name? In 2002, a big US study called the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) linked hormone therapy to breast cancer and heart problems. Many women stopped overnight. Many doctors stopped prescribing it. Later, experts looked at the study again. Most women in it were over 60 and many had started hormones more than 10 years after menopause. Younger women who started near menopause had a much better safety picture. What Changed in 2025? In November 2025, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it would remove the strongest warning box about heart disease, breast cancer and dementia from most menopause hormone products. The warning about womb cancer for estrogen-only products stays. This was a US decision. In India, your gynaecologist will still look at your own health to decide what is safe for you. Common Myths About Hormone Therapy Myth Fact "Hormone therapy always causes cancer." Combined therapy slightly raises breast cancer risk with long use. Estrogen-only therapy has little or no extra risk. Your personal risk depends on your age, health and family history. "It will make me gain weight." There is no good evidence that hormone therapy causes weight gain. Weight gain is common around menopause whether you take hormones or not. "I can stop using contraception once I start hormone therapy." Hormone therapy is not birth control. You can still get pregnant in perimenopause. Ask your doctor how long to use contraception. "Bioidentical or natural hormones from a clinic are safer." Regulated body-identical hormones are tested and safe to use. But custom-mixed (compounded) hormones are not tested the same way, so experts do not recommend them. "Once you start, you can never stop." You can stop. Your doctor will help you lower the dose slowly if needed. "It is only for hot flashes." It also helps sleep, mood, vaginal dryness and bone strength. When Should You Start Hormone Therapy, and for How Long? Start when symptoms affect your daily life. You do not have to wait until your periods have fully stopped. Many women start in perimenopause, the years before the last period. Not sure if you are in perimenopause? Read nobody told me menopause starts before menopause. How long? There is no fixed time limit. Your doctor will: Check how you feel after about 3 months Review your treatment at least once a year Help you decide when, or if, to stop How soon does it work? Many women feel better within a few weeks. It can take up to 3 months to feel the full effect. What Side Effects Can Happen? Side effects are usually mild and often settle within 3 months. They include: Sore or tender breasts Headaches Feeling sick Spotting or light bleeding Bloating Tell your doctor if they do not go away. A different dose or form often helps. What Tests Might You Need Before Starting? There is no single test that says "you need hormone therapy". Doctors mostly decide from your age, periods and symptoms. They may check: Your blood pressure and weight Your personal and family history of cancer, clots and heart disease A breast check, and a mammogram based on your age Blood tests if your periods stopped early or your symptoms are unclear A home FSH test can show if your hormone levels are changing. It can help you start the conversation with your doctor, but it does not decide treatment on its own. The Sirona Menopause Test Kit checks FSH in urine. To learn when to test and how to read it, see our guide to the menopause test kit at home. 10 Questions to Ask Your Gynaecologist About Hormone Therapy Many women in India feel shy talking about menopause. Take this list with you. Are my symptoms from menopause or something else? Am I a good fit for hormone therapy? Do I need combined or estrogen-only therapy? Is a patch or gel better for me than tablets? What is my own risk of breast cancer and blood clots? What side effects should I watch for? How soon will I feel better? Do I still need contraception? How often will you review my treatment? What hormone-free options can I try as well, or instead? Tip: Write down your symptoms for 2 weeks before your visit. Note when hot flashes happen, how you sleep and any period changes. This helps your doctor decide faster. What If You Cannot or Do Not Want to Take Hormones? That is completely okay. Hormone therapy is a choice, not a must. Other options include: Non-hormonal medicines. A doctor can prescribe some medicines that reduce hot flashes. CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy). This talking therapy can help you cope with hot flashes, sleep problems and low mood. Lifestyle changes. Dress in layers, keep your room cool, limit spicy food, tea, coffee and alcohol, stay active and do not smoke. Calcium, vitamin D and exercise. These help keep your bones strong. Hormone-Free Products That Can Help With Daily Comfort These products do not replace treatment from a doctor. But they can make daily symptoms easier to manage, with or without hormone therapy. Symptom Hormone-free help from Sirona Hot flashes and sudden warmth Cooling Mist for Hot Flash Relief to cool and refresh your skin on the go Dryness and itching in the intimate area Menopause Intimate Cream, a gentle hormone-free cream for the outer intimate skin Pain or dryness during sex Bleu Bliss water-based lubricant to reduce friction Dry, sensitive or dull skin Skin Balancing Cream for face and body Want it all in one box The Sirona Menopause Kit brings four menopause essentials together You can see all options in the Sirona menopause care range. For more on intimate comfort, read vaginal dryness and itching after menopause: causes and safe relief. The Bottom Line Hormone therapy for menopause is the most effective way to ease hot flashes and night sweats, and it protects your bones. For most healthy women who start before 60, the benefits usually outweigh the risks. The best choice depends on your age, health and symptoms, so make it with your gynaecologist. If hormones are not for you, there are safe, hormone-free ways to feel more comfortable every day.  

Achanak chehre par tez garmi aana. Gardan aur chhaati laal ho jana. Pasina aana aur phir thand lagna. Agar aap 40 ke baad yeh sab feel kar rahi hain, to yeh hot flashes ho sakte hain. Jab yahi garmi raat ko aati hai aur kapde ya bistar pasine se geele ho jaate hain, to ise night sweats kehte hain. Yeh dono menopause ke sabse aam lakshan hain. Achhi baat yeh hai ki inse raahat paane ke kai aasan tarike hain. Hot Flashes Kya Hote Hain? Seedha jawab: Hot flash achanak aane wali tez garmi ki lehar hai jo aksar chehre, gardan aur chhaati mein feel hoti hai. Yeh kuch second se lekar kuch minute tak rehti hai. Hot flash ke dauran yeh ho sakta hai: Chehra aur gardan laal ho jana Dil ki dhadkan tez hona Bahut pasina aana Baad mein thand ya kanpkapi lagna Ghabrahat feel hona Hot Flashes Kyon Hote Hain? Hamare dimaag ka ek hissa body ka temperature control karta hai. Menopause ke samay estrogen hormone kam hota hai. Isse yeh hissa zyada sensitive ho jata hai. Ab body ko thodi si garmi bhi zyada lagti hai. Body turant thanda hone ki koshish karti hai. Khoon ki naliyan khulti hain, skin garam hoti hai aur pasina aata hai. Yahi hot flash hai. Hot Flashes Kitne Saal Tak Rehte Hain? SWAN naam ki ek badi study mein paya gaya ki hot flashes aur night sweats average lagbhag 7.4 saal tak rehte hain. Jinko yeh perimenopause mein shuru hue, unme yeh aur lambe chal sakte hain. Kuch women mein yeh sirf 1 ya 2 saal rehte hain. Yaani yeh kuch hafton ki baat nahi hai. Isliye inhe sambhalne ka sahi tarika seekhna zaroori hai. Hot Flashes Ko Kya Badhata Hai? (Triggers) Kuch cheezein hot flashes ko jaldi ya zyada tez bana sakti hain: Trigger Kya karein Teekha aur masaledar khana Mirch masala kam karein, khaas kar raat ko. Garam chai ya coffee Din mein 1 ya 2 cup tak rakhein. Thanda hone dein phir piyein. Alcohol Kam karein ya band karein. Smoking Band karein. Yeh hot flashes aur badhata hai. Stress aur gussa Gehri saans, walk ya baat karke mann halka karein. Garam kamra ya dhoop Fan, cooler ya AC use karein. Dopahar ki dhoop se bachein. Synthetic ya tight kapde Dheele cotton ya linen ke kapde pehnein. Trigger Diary Banayein Har woman ke triggers alag hote hain. 2 hafte tak ek chhoti diary rakhein. Jab bhi hot flash aaye, note karein: Kitne baje aaya Usse pehle kya khaya ya piya Aap kahan thi aur kya kar rahi thi Kitna tez tha Kuch din mein aapko apna pattern dikhne lagega. Phir un triggers se bachna aasan ho jata hai. Hot Flash Aaye To Turant Kya Karein? Thandak lagayein. Chehre, gardan aur kalaai par thanda paani ya thanda kapda lagayein. Cooling mist spray karein. Sirona Cooling Mist mein peppermint, aloe vera, kheera aur eucalyptus oil hai. Ise chehre aur gardan par spray karne se turant thandak feel hoti hai. Yeh hormone-free hai aur bag mein aasani se aa jata hai. Thanda paani piyein. Dheere dheere ghoont lein. Matke ka paani bhi achha hai. Ek layer utaarein. Isliye kapde layers mein pehnna achha hai, jaise kurta ke upar halka dupatta ya shrug. Hawa mein jayein. Fan ke saamne baithein ya khidki khol dein. Dheere saans lein. Naak se dheere saans lein aur munh se dheere chhodein. Isse ghabrahat kam ho sakti hai. Night Sweats Se Kaise Bachein? Raat ko pasina aane se neend toot jaati hai. Phir din bhar thakaan aur chidchidapan rehta hai. Yeh night routine madad kar sakti hai: Kamra thanda rakhein. Fan ya AC chalayein. Cotton ki chadar aur dheele cotton ke kapde use karein. Bhaari kambal ki jagah halki chadar ya do patli layers rakhein. Bistar ke paas thanda paani aur ek extra kapda rakhein. Sone se 2 se 3 ghante pehle teekha khana, chai, coffee aur alcohol na lein. Sone se pehle halka gunguna (bahut garam nahi) shower lein. Takiye par cotton ka towel rakhein, taaki pasina aaye to badal sakein. Lambe Samay Ke Liye Kya Karein? Vajan healthy rakhein Research batati hai ki zyada vajan wali women mein hot flashes zyada ho sakte hain. Thoda vajan kam karne se bhi farak pad sakta hai. Roz exercise karein Roz 30 minute walk, yoga ya cycling karein. Isse neend, mood aur vajan teeno mein madad milti hai. Bahut garam samay par exercise na karein. Stress kam karein Stress hot flashes ko badha sakta hai. Meditation, pranayam, music ya doston se baat karna madad karta hai. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) ek tarah ki counselling hai. Research mein yeh hot flashes ki pareshani kam karne mein madadgar payi gayi hai. Smoking band karein Smoking hot flashes ko zyada aur tez bana sakti hai. Band karna overall health ke liye bhi achha hai. Kya Gharelu Nuskhe Ya Supplements Kaam Karte Hain? Kai log soy, alsi (flaxseed) ya herbal supplements ki baat karte hain. In par research mili juli hai. Kuch logon ko thoda farak lagta hai, kuch ko nahi. Koi bhi supplement ya herbal dawa shuru karne se pehle doctor se zaroor poochein. Kuch supplements doosri dawaon ke saath react kar sakte hain. Doctor Kya Ilaaj De Sakte Hain? Agar hot flashes aapki neend, kaam ya mood ko bahut kharab kar rahe hain, to doctor se milein. Doctor aapki health dekh kar yeh options suggest kar sakte hain: Hormone therapy (HRT): Hot flashes ke liye sabse asardaar ilaaj maana jata hai. Par yeh har kisi ke liye sahi nahi hai. Bina hormone wali dawaein: Jo women HRT nahi le sakti, unke liye kuch aur dawaein bhi hain. Yeh dawaein sirf doctor ki salah par hi lein. Night Sweats Kab Menopause Ki Wajah Se Nahi Hote? Raat ko pasina hamesha menopause ki wajah se nahi hota. Yeh TB, thyroid, infection, sugar kam hona ya kuch dawaon ki wajah se bhi ho sakta hai. Turant doctor se milein agar: Pasine ke saath bukhar aata hai Bina koshish vajan kam ho raha hai 2 hafte se zyada khaansi hai Gardan ya bagal mein gaanth hai Aapki umar 40 se kam hai aur periods normal hain Seene mein dard ya saans phoolti hai Quick Summary: Hot Flashes Se Raahat Kab Kya karein Hot flash aate hi Cooling mist, thanda paani, layer utaarein, dheere saans lein Raat ko Thanda kamra, cotton kapde, halki chadar, teekha khana na lein Roz Exercise, healthy vajan, triggers se bachein, stress kam karein Jab bahut pareshani ho Doctor se HRT ya doosre ilaaj ke baare mein baat karein Menopause ke doosre lakshan ke liye bhi poori range dekhein: Sirona menopause care range. Agar aap jaanna chahti hain ki yeh lakshan menopause ki wajah se hain ya nahi, to Sirona Menopause Test Kit se ghar par FSH check kar sakti hain. Aakhri Baat Hot flashes aur night sweats pareshan karte hain, par inhe sambhala ja sakta hai. Apne triggers pehchanein, thandak ka saath rakhein, raat ki routine theek karein aur zaroorat ho to doctor se baat karein. Menopause ki poori jaankari ke liye padhiye: menopause kya hota hai. Disclaimer: Yeh blog sirf jaankari ke liye hai. Yeh doctor ki salah ki jagah nahi hai. Koi bhi dawa ya treatment shuru karne se pehle apne doctor se baat karein.  

Summary A menopause test kit measures follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in urine. FSH rises as the ovaries produce less estrogen, so elevated FSH is consistent with the hormonal changes of perimenopause or menopause. Home test kits detect elevated FSH with about 90 percent accuracy according to the FDA. However, because FSH levels fluctuate day to day during perimenopause, a single test cannot confirm or rule out menopause. The result is a useful first indicator, not a diagnosis. Menopause is confirmed only after twelve consecutive months without a period. This guide explains when to test, how to use the Sirona menopause test kit step by step, how to read the result, what affects accuracy, and when to follow up with a doctor. You have noticed changes. Your periods are not arriving on their expected schedule. You are having hot flashes. Sleep is more difficult than it used to be. You feel irritable in ways that seem disconnected from what is actually happening around you. You want to know what is going on. A menopause test kit is often the first step women take when they start wondering whether the menopause transition has begun. This guide tells you exactly what the test measures, what the result means, and how to use it correctly so the information it gives you is actually useful. What Does a Menopause Test Kit Measure A menopause test kit measures follicle-stimulating hormone, or FSH, in urine. FSH is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. Its job is to signal the ovaries to produce eggs and estrogen. In the reproductive years, FSH rises briefly each month to trigger ovulation and then falls again. As the ovaries age and become less responsive, the pituitary gland produces more and more FSH in an attempt to prompt a response. Elevated FSH in urine is therefore a sign that the ovaries are producing less estrogen, which is consistent with the menopause transition. According to the FDA, this is a qualitative test. It tells you whether your FSH is elevated or not. It does not tell you by how much, and it does not diagnose menopause. When Should You Take a Menopause Test There is no single right age to test. The right time is when you are experiencing symptoms that make you wonder whether your hormones are shifting. Common reasons women decide to test include: Periods becoming irregular, closer together, further apart, heavier, or lighter than usual Hot flashes or night sweats that are new and unexplained Mood changes, irritability, or low mood that do not have another obvious cause Significant sleep disruption that is new Feeling generally unlike yourself in a way that has lasted several weeks or more In India, the average age of natural menopause is approximately 46 years according to the Indian Menopause Society, which means perimenopausal symptoms can begin for some women in their late 30s to early 40s. If you are in this age range and noticing the symptoms above, testing is a reasonable first step. When Not to Test A menopause test kit gives unreliable results in certain situations. If you are currently taking hormonal contraceptives including the pill, an injection, a patch, or a hormonal IUD, the hormones in these methods suppress FSH artificially. The test result will not reflect your natural FSH level and is not useful while you are on hormonal birth control. If you are on hormone replacement therapy, FSH levels are also suppressed. Test results taken during HRT are not interpretable without medical context. If you are pregnant, FSH levels are affected. Do not use a menopause test kit to check for pregnancy or to interpret any symptoms during pregnancy. If you are under 40 and experiencing what seem like menopausal symptoms, see a doctor directly rather than relying on a home test. Early menopause before 40, called premature ovarian insufficiency, needs specialist assessment that a home test cannot provide. How to Use the Sirona Menopause Test Kit The Sirona menopause test kit measures FSH in urine using a midstream test. Each pack has 3 tests, so you can repeat the test on different days. The process is similar to a pregnancy test. Step One: Choose the Right Time to Test Use first-morning urine where possible, as FSH is more concentrated then. If you still have periods, Sirona advises testing on any day between day 2 and day 7 of your cycle, then repeating after one week. If your periods have stopped, you can test on any day. Avoid heavy fluid intake in the two hours before testing, as this can dilute the sample. Step Two: Read the Instructions Before Starting Read through the full instruction leaflet before opening the test strip. Different kits have slightly different timing windows. Knowing the steps before you begin reduces the chance of error. Step Three: Hold the Test Under the Urine Stream The Sirona kit is a midstream test. Remove the cap, then hold the tip under your urine stream for a few seconds. Replace the cap once you are done. You do not need a container or a dipping step. Step Four: Lay Flat and Wait 10 Minutes Place the test on a flat, clean surface and wait 10 minutes. Read the result in that window. Do not read it later, as faint lines can appear or change with time and give a misleading reading. Step Five: Read the Result Two lines visible, including both the test line and the control line, means the result is positive. Positive means your FSH levels at the time of testing are elevated, which is consistent with perimenopause or menopause. One line visible, the control line only, means the result is negative. Negative means your FSH levels at the time of testing are not significantly elevated. No lines, or only the test line with no control line, means the test is invalid. Repeat with a fresh strip. Step Six: Repeat on a Different Day Because FSH levels can fluctuate significantly from day to day during perimenopause, the FDA and Cleveland Clinic both note that a single test result gives only a snapshot. Testing on two to three separate days and noting whether results are consistently elevated gives a more reliable overall picture than a single positive or negative. How to Read Your Results Without Over-Interpreting Them What a Positive Result Means A positive result means your FSH was elevated at the time you tested. This is consistent with perimenopause or menopause. It supports the idea that your hormones are shifting. It is not a diagnosis. According to Cleveland Clinic, a higher-than-usual test result means FSH levels were elevated when you took the test. It does not confirm you are in perimenopause or menopause. If your result is positive and you are also experiencing symptoms, this is useful information to take to your doctor. Together, your symptoms, your cycle history, and the test result give a fuller picture than any one of these alone. What a Negative Result Means A negative result means your FSH was not significantly elevated when you tested. This does not mean you are not in perimenopause or menopause. According to the FDA, women can have menopausal symptoms and a negative FSH test result at the same time, because FSH fluctuates and may have been in a lower phase on the day of the test. If you have symptoms but a negative result, testing again in four to six weeks and keeping a record of your symptoms over that time is a reasonable next step. What a Positive Result Does Not Mean A positive FSH test does not mean you can stop using contraception. Ovulation can still occur during perimenopause even when FSH is elevated. The ability to conceive does not disappear until menopause has been confirmed through twelve consecutive months without a period. A positive result also does not mean you need to start hormone therapy or any other treatment immediately. It is information, not a prescription. What to do with that information depends on how your symptoms are affecting you and what your doctor recommends after a full assessment. What Affects Test Accuracy Several factors can influence how reliable a menopause test result is. Hormonal contraception and HRT suppress FSH and will produce a negative result even if the underlying hormonal picture is consistent with perimenopause. Fertility drugs and medications that stimulate ovulation can artificially raise FSH and may produce a false positive result. Testing too early in the day without concentrated urine, or testing after heavy fluid intake, dilutes the FSH signal and may produce a negative result even when FSH is elevated. Timing within the cycle matters during perimenopause. FSH fluctuates with the cycle and can be low during some phases even in women who are clearly perimenopausal. According to Cedars-Sinai OB-GYN Dr. Keren Lerner, in a normal cycle FSH fluctuates anyway, which could make at-home test results inaccurate. This is why testing on multiple days and looking at the overall pattern is more useful than relying on a single result. What to Do After Testing If the Result Is Positive and You Have Symptoms Book an appointment with your gynaecologist or doctor. Bring the test result, a record of how your cycle has changed over the past several months, and a note of the symptoms you have been experiencing and for how long. This information allows your doctor to give you the most useful assessment. Your doctor may recommend a blood test to check FSH, estradiol, and possibly LH, as well as tests to rule out other conditions like thyroid dysfunction that can produce symptoms similar to perimenopause. If the Result Is Negative But You Have Symptoms Do not dismiss your symptoms based on a negative test. Retest in four to six weeks. Keep tracking your symptoms and cycle in the meantime. If symptoms are significantly affecting your quality of life, see a doctor regardless of the test result. If the Result Is Invalid Repeat with a fresh test strip using first-morning urine and following the timing instructions precisely. Conclusion A menopause test kit is a practical and accessible first step toward understanding whether your hormones are shifting toward menopause. It measures FSH in urine with around 90 percent accuracy at detecting elevated levels, according to the FDA. But it is a screening tool, not a diagnostic one. A positive result is consistent with perimenopause or menopause. A negative result does not rule it out. And menopause itself can only be confirmed after twelve consecutive months without a period, combined with your symptoms and your doctor's assessment. Use the test to start the conversation, and take the result along with your symptom history to a doctor who can give you the full picture.