What level of FSH indicates menopause?
Short answer
An FSH level above about 30 mIU/mL is often consistent with menopause, and is usually higher afterward.
A single reading is not a diagnosis, because FSH fluctuates widely in perimenopause.
What FSH is and what the numbers mean
FSH, or follicle-stimulating hormone, is made by the pituitary gland to prompt your ovaries to release eggs. As ovaries slow down, the brain sends more FSH to push them, so levels climb.
Labs differ, but a reading above roughly 30 mIU/mL is commonly cited as consistent with menopause. Before menopause, levels are typically lower, and they vary across your cycle. Many labs report ranges by phase of the cycle for that reason.
Why one result is not enough
In perimenopause, FSH can be high one month and normal the next. A single result can mislead in both directions: you may be in the transition with a normal reading, or see a high one and still have periods.
That is why guidance such as NICE NG23 advises against routine FSH testing in women over 45 with typical symptoms. It adds little to what your age and period pattern already show.
When doctors do order FSH
- Under 45 with symptoms, to look at possible early menopause.
- Under 40, where two high results some weeks apart can point to premature ovarian insufficiency.
- After a hysterectomy, when you no longer have periods to track.
FSH readings are also unreliable if you take hormonal contraception, so your doctor may ask you to account for that.
The number is only part of the picture. If you are deciding whether to add a menopause supplement to your routine, your symptoms matter more than one lab value. Research on botanicals is mixed, so it is worth talking through with your doctor.
Ask your doctor what else the result should be read alongside. Thyroid function, pregnancy status and medications can all change the picture, and a good clinician will weigh those before drawing a conclusion.
Talk to a doctor to interpret any lab result, especially if you are under 45 or bleeding unexpectedly.
Sources
- NICE guideline NG23 (2015, updated 2024): use of FSH testing in diagnosing menopause by age group.
- STRAW+10, Harlow SD et al., 2012: FSH rises across the transition and is variable in perimenopause.
- ACOG, patient resources on menopause: laboratory markers and their limits.
Related questions
No single test can confirm perimenopause, because hormone levels swing from day to day. Doctors diagnose it from your age, symptoms and period changes, using tests mainly to rule out other causes.
Menopause is confirmed by 12 straight months without a period, when you enter postmenopause. Symptoms do not stop on a set day: hot flashes often fade over several years, but dryness may continue.
Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause; menopause is 12 months in a row without a period. Everything after that is postmenopause. Pregnancy is only possible before menopause.