As more women of the baby boomer generation begin their journey into menopause, they are giving rise to a more wholesome attitude towards this natural part of a woman's sexual health. The generation that launched the sexual revolution and were liberated by the birth control pill will not accept menopause as a dark secret only discussed with their doctor.

The number of women entering menopause has been steadily growing and is now estimated at 1.9 million annually. North America recorded the largest number of births in 1957 and in just two years, all of the women born during that year will turn 51, the average age of a woman in menopause. Many of these women have an empowered sense of their sexual well being and will busy themselves gathering information and bringing a healthy, open attitude to this phase of their lives. This will be in sharp contrast to the 'grin and bear it' attitude endured by their mothers.

Menopause is a natural event in a woman's life when the ovaries stop producing eggs, periods cease and the body no longer produces the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. This changing hormone level affects women in different ways with a variety of symptoms such as hot flashes, irritability, night sweats, depression, loss of libido, vaginal dryness and insomnia.

Women nearing their 50s are generally aware of the approach of menopause but because the symptoms vary dramatically from woman to woman, it can often be hard to tell whether symptoms are caused by menopause or by another underlying health issue. Increasingly, women are turning to home test kits to determine whether they are in menopause. Not only is this information reassuring, it also saves the expense of a trip to their doctor to have the test done.

It is helpful for a woman's health and peace of mind to know she may be menopausal because:

" there are health issues associated with menopause, such as osteoporosis, which women can begin to prepare for if they are aware they are at high risk;
" knowing that hormone level changes associated with menopause are the cause of fluctuations in moods and general demeanor can be reassuring and helpful to the woman and her partner in dealing with the effects; and
" if there is an alternative explanation for experiencing worrying symptoms of menopause it is obviously important to have the condition diagnosed and treated in good time.

A menopause home test kit is a simple, quick and discreet way to find out whether menopause has started. Most menopause home test kits are a one-step process which takes a few minutes to perform and the results are known almost immediately.

While most home test kits claim a 99% accuracy rate, the test should be used with caution, said Linda Ryan, founder of www.womeninmenopause.com which carries the Vielle Menopause Home Test Kit on her website.

"A home test is not a replacement for a doctor's involvement,"? says Ryan. "They are useful because it gives women the ability to measure and track her hormone levels during the transition into menopause. Armed with this information, she can start preparing and giving consideration on whether to use conventional drug treatments such as HRT, or to choose a less invasive, more natural approach. Women want to know what choices are available and not just have their doctors write a prescription."?

How do they work?
The ovary is the main source of estrogen which it secretes into the blood stream. To produce estrogen, the ovary has to be stimulated by Follicle Stimulating Hormone (known as FSH) which is produced by the pituitary gland. Normally, increasing levels of estrogen in the blood reduce the amount of FSH; if levels of estrogen fall, FSH levels are increased. As the ovary ages, it becomes less efficient at producing estrogen so blood levels of estrogen tend to fall. The pituitary gland responds to this by increasing the amount of FSH it secretes into the blood stream in an attempt to increase estrogen production by the ovary. FSH is excreted into the urine and the home test kit checks your urine for an elevated FSH level. Urine tests are much more convenient than blood tests and are therefore ideal for home use.

When should the test be done?
If you are still having monthly periods, take the test on the first day of your menstruation cycle (the day bleeding starts) and repeat the test seven days later.

If you are no longer having periods, take the test anytime and repeat the test seven days later. It's best to test your first morning urine as it has the highest level of FSH and will give you the clearest result.

Paula Anne Stark is a free lance writer. Email: paulaannestark@yahoo.co www.myScentuelle.com