The data is unambiguous: women are significantly more likely than men to have their symptoms dismissed, their investigations delayed, and their diagnoses missed. This is particularly true in the domain of hormonal health, where symptoms that are specific and measurable — fatigue, mood dysregulation, weight changes, hair loss, irregular cycles, sleep disruption — are routinely attributed to "stress," "anxiety," or simply being female.
The perimenopause knowledge gap
Perimenopause can begin as early as the mid-30s and lasts, on average, 4–8 years before menopause. During this period, oestradiol and progesterone levels fluctuate dramatically and often unpredictably. FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) begins to rise. The ratio of oestrogen to progesterone shifts, often producing oestrogen dominance symptoms even as overall levels decline.
A single hormonal blood test cannot capture the full picture — hormone levels vary across the cycle. But a thoughtfully timed panel measuring oestradiol, progesterone, FSH, LH, testosterone (free and total), and SHBG provides an invaluable clinical baseline — one that most Swiss women have never received.
Thyroid autoimmunity: a women's health issue
Hashimoto's thyroiditis — the leading cause of hypothyroidism in Switzerland — affects women at approximately 7 times the rate of men. Anti-TPO antibodies can be elevated for 5–10 years before TSH rises. Women with unexplained fatigue, hair loss, weight gain, or depression who have been told their thyroid is "normal" based on TSH alone may have early autoimmune thyroid disease that would be revealed by Anti-TPO testing.
PCOS and the metabolic connection
Polycystic ovary syndrome affects approximately 8–12% of Swiss women of reproductive age, making it one of the most common endocrine disorders. Its defining features — elevated androgens, insulin resistance, and irregular cycles — are directly measurable. Free testosterone, DHEA-S, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and LH/FSH ratio together provide a comprehensive PCOS assessment that goes far beyond an ultrasound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hormone blood test without a GP referral?
Yes. Aeonix offers direct-access preventive screening, so a GP referral is not required to book its screening service.
Which hormones can be tested for women's health?
Depending on the selected plan, testing may include hormones such as oestradiol, progesterone, FSH and LH, alongside thyroid and other health-related biomarkers.
Can a blood test confirm perimenopause?
A blood test can provide information about hormone levels, but perimenopause cannot always be confirmed by a single blood test because hormone levels can fluctuate. Symptoms and menstrual history are also important.
Do I need to fast before a menopause or hormone blood test?
Preparation depends on the complete panel being tested. If your screening includes fasting glucose, insulin or other fasting biomarkers, you will receive the appropriate preparation instructions before your appointment.
What is included in a menopause health check?
Depending on the plan, a broader health screening can include reproductive hormones together with thyroid, metabolic, cardiovascular, nutritional and other biomarkers relevant to midlife health.
What happens if my hormone results are outside the expected range?
Hormone results should be interpreted alongside symptoms, menstrual history and other clinical information. Aeonix provides physician-reviewed results, and further medical discussion may be recommended where appropriate.
Is Aeonix the same company as Aeon?
No. Aeonix and Aeon (aeon.life) are two separate, unrelated companies. Aeonix is operated by AllesHealth GmbH and offers blood-only preventive screening on an annual subscription model, with results in 48 hours.
Is this panel suitable during perimenopause specifically?
Yes. Because oestradiol and progesterone fluctuate significantly during perimenopause, a single blood draw cannot capture the complete picture. Aeonix's hormonal panel — oestradiol, progesterone, FSH, LH, testosterone (free and total), and SHBG — is designed to establish a clinically useful baseline, and the annual subscription model allows you to track how these markers shift as you move through the transition, year over year.
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