A 45-year-old woman using the progestogen-only pill (desogestrel) asks the GP how she will know when she is postmenopausal. She has been amenorrhoeic ...

Question

A 45-year-old woman using the progestogen-only pill (desogestrel) asks the GP how she will know when she is postmenopausal. She has been amenorrhoeic since starting the POP 3 years ago. Her GP checks FSH, which returns at 45 IU/L. What should be done next?

Accepted Answer

Repeat FSH in 6 weeks - if still ≥30 IU/L, menopausal levels are likely, but she should continue contraception for a further 1 year as she is ≥50

Answer

Confirm menopause - she can stop contraception immediately

Answer

FSH is unreliable on the POP - she must stop the POP and wait for cycles

Answer

Switch to the combined pill to confirm menopause

Answer

No further testing needed - continue until age 55

uk-drcog MCQ (SBA): FSH Confirmation of Menopause on POP

A 45-year-old woman using the progestogen-only pill (desogestrel) asks the GP how she will know when she is postmenopausal. She has been amenorrhoeic since starting the POP 3 years ago. Her GP checks FSH, which returns at 45 IU/L. What should be done next?