Are home test kits worth it?
Chemist shelves are now packed with every conceivable home health test. You can test yourself to check how fertile you are, your cholesterol levels or whether you have diabetes. And today a charity called Sense and Science has called for more regulation on these tests branding them 'inaccurate'.
Self-diagnosis is big business and the home test market is worth a staggering £99 million. But are these kits really worth buying, or as inaccurate as the critics suggest?
We look at the conditions you can test for, and what else you can do, while health expert, Michael van Straten gives his verdict.
The Menopause
What are the signs? Hot flushes are the most common symptom and happen in 3 out of 4 women. You may also experience night sweats, loss of libido, headaches and mood swings.
The DIY test:
Novogen Menopause Test, £14.95, from Boots
Claim: 'Determines whether you have had your last period and reached the post menopause stage.'
What do you do? The kit contains two test strips, to be used two weeks apart, which detect FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) in urine. An increased level means the post menopause stage has probably been reached, but the test warns that it could be for a number of reasons.
Expert verdict: This test can't tell you for sure, so it's probably not worth it - 3/10
What else can you do?
If you think you're reaching the menopause, make a note of your symptoms and make an appointment with your GP to talk things through and find out if hormone therapy is for you or not.
- Read more: Fertility test
More help and advice
- In-depth facts on the menopause
- Read Gilly's story of going through the change
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