Blood test for testosterone offers menopause early warning hope. (Menopause).(Brief Article)

Scientists have discovered that the menopause is preceded by a dramatic drop in testosterone levels in the blood, suggesting that a simple blood test that gives an early warning of menopause may one day be possible.

Early warning of menopause is particularly important for women who have delayed having a family because of their career or for other reasons.

A team led by Susan Davis at the Jean Hailles Foundation in Melbourne, Australia, examined the testosterone levels in blood samples from 245 women with normal libido. Testosterone levels were examined using solvent extraction, which involves running samples down a column to obtain results. The data showed …