Early menopause check: "Too young for menopause?"

Menopause before 45 is called early menopause, and before 40 it is called POI (the Philippine Society of Climacteric Medicine uses the same cut-offs, per PSCM LAYAG). Losing estrogen years early means more years at higher risk of bone loss and heart disease. That is why The Menopause Society 2022 position statement says hormone therapy for women with early menopause or POI should typically continue at least until the average age of natural menopause, unless there is a reason not to (NAMS 2022).

On Reddit, Filipinas in their late 30s describe perimenopause symptoms and wonder if they are imagining it (r/AskPinay). You are not. It is worth a proper look.

• Your age band: under 40, or 40 to 45.
• Period changes: missed periods, cycles far apart, or no period for 4 months or more.
• Symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats or vaginal dryness.
• Surgery: hysterectomy, and whether one or both ovaries were removed (surgical menopause).
• Cancer treatment: chemotherapy or pelvic radiation.
• Other causes a doctor will want to rule out: pregnancy, breastfeeding, thyroid problems, very low body weight or heavy exercise.

It does not ask your name and stores nothing outside your device.

The check sorts your answers into one of a few plain messages, for example:

• "Your answers fit possible POI. See a doctor." Under 40 with missed periods or symptoms.
• "Your answers fit possible early menopause. See a doctor." 40 to 45 with period changes and symptoms.
• "Surgical menopause: talk to your surgeon or OB about hormone therapy." Both ovaries removed.
• "Your periods may have another cause." When other factors are present, with a list to raise.

None of these is a diagnosis. A doctor confirms it with your history, an exam and usually blood tests.

NICE NG23 says an FSH blood test can be considered in women aged 40 to 45 with menopausal symptoms, including a change in their periods. Under 40, when premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is suspected, NICE advises diagnosing it from symptoms plus raised FSH on 2 blood samples taken 4 to 6 weeks apart (NICE NG23 and QS143). The newer 2024 international POI guideline says one raised result after at least 4 months of missed or irregular periods can be enough, with a repeat test if the picture is unclear, so your doctor may order one test or two. Doctors may also check pregnancy, thyroid function and sometimes estradiol. Typical Philippine prices:

• FSH: ₱855 per test (Exact Check), or ₱1,000 per test (Hi-Precision via Hati Health)
• Estradiol: ₱1,325 per test (Exact Check)
• TSH: ₱490 per test (Exact Check)
• Bone density scan if POI is confirmed: ₱2,400 per scan (Exact Check)

Prices checked October 2026. Lab price lists can change; confirm before you go. See FSH tests, bone density tests and the all-in cost guide.

Bring your result, your period dates (the period tracker helps) and any surgery or treatment records to an OB-GYN. If you are told "bata ka pa, hindi pa 'yan menopause", our talk to your doctor page has polite scripts to ask for a proper workup. Read the full early menopause guide, and find a menopause-literate doctor. A Philippine study on knowledge and attitudes about surgical menopause is listed by POGS (HERDIN).