FSH test timing, was it accurate?

I am 44 y/old and have taken BCP for many years, but stopped taking BCP in Feb 07. For several years I have had the feeling that I may be going through early menopause. Just a gut feeling of mine. After speaking with my GYN, she reluctantly tested my FSH, and results are: 18.73. I was told that I had gone into early menopause and am actually nearing the end of menopause. However, my FSH test was not taken on day 3 of my cycle, but rather 13 days into my cycle. Is it possible that my FSH reading was incorrect due to the timing of the test? If in fact I am nearing the end of menopause...could it still take a couple of years to complete it, or is it perhaps a matter of months now? Thank you for your professional advise.

[Machelle Seibel, MD]

FSH is a rough indicator of menopause. There is no value that specifically says  a person is in menopause or how long till menopause will occur. A value of 18 in general is at the upper limits of normal levels and is typical of a woman in her 40s.

Early menopause or premature menopause is by definition menopause before age 40 so even if  you were in menopause (according to your FSH level you are not) it would not be early or premature. To test for menopause, it does not have to be a day 3 test. That day is used to test for fertility potential which obviously goes down as menopause approaches. It could be several more years before you are in menopause. The mean age in the United States is 51 (range 45-55).
Machelle M. Seibel, MD