Navigating Menopause with the DUTCH Test: A Complete Hormone Analysis
Menopause is a natural stage of life, but the hormonal changes that come with it can bring challenges—hot flushes, mood swings, sleep problems, and weight shifts, just to name a few. While this transition is inevitable, understanding your unique hormone patterns can make a world of difference in how you experience it.
That’s where the DUTCH Test comes in—a cutting-edge tool that takes the guesswork out of hormone health and helps you approach menopause with clarity and confidence.
What Exactly is the DUTCH Test?
DUTCH stands for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones. Unlike standard blood tests that provide just a snapshot, the DUTCH Test paints a 24-hour picture of your hormones and how your body processes them.
By collecting dried urine samples at different times of the day, the test provides a detailed map of:
Sex hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone
Adrenal hormones such as cortisol and DHEA
Hormone metabolism, showing not just your levels, but how well your body is using and clearing them
This creates a powerful overview of your endocrine system in action.
Why the DUTCH Test is So Valuable During Menopause
Hormones shift dramatically during menopause, often creating imbalances that drive unwanted symptoms. The DUTCH Test can help by:
Pinpointing Hormone Imbalances
No more guessing which hormones are “off.” The test shows exact levels and ratios—for instance, whether low progesterone compared to oestrogen is behind mood swings or heavy bleeding.Checking Adrenal Health
During menopause, the adrenal glands play a bigger role in hormone production. If stress or fatigue has taxed them, symptoms like brain fog and exhaustion may worsen. The DUTCH Test maps your cortisol rhythm to reveal how well your adrenals are coping.Showing Hormone Metabolism
Not all oestrogen is the same. Some forms are protective, while others may increase risk if not cleared properly. The DUTCH Test shows how your body breaks down and detoxifies hormones, guiding safer lifestyle and supplement strategies.Personalizing Treatment
Whether you’re considering lifestyle changes, supplements, or medical therapies, DUTCH results provide the roadmap for a truly personalized plan.
The Extended DUTCH Test: Going Deeper
For women with more complex symptoms, the Extended DUTCH Test offers extra insights, including:
Melatonin: Crucial for sleep, mood, and metabolism—especially if you’re struggling with insomnia, fatigue, or weight changes.
Oxidative Stress Markers: Reveal inflammation and mitochondrial health, giving clues about your body’s energy production.
Liver Detox Pathways: Show how efficiently your body clears hormones, a critical piece in preventing imbalances.
Who Should Consider the DUTCH Test?
This test is especially useful for women who:
Are experiencing troublesome menopausal symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, fatigue, or anxiety
Are starting or considering hormone therapy and want baseline data
Have puzzling, unexplained symptoms and want a comprehensive hormone map
Prefer a personalized, data-driven approach to their health
How I Use DUTCH Test Results in Practice
Once your test is complete (just a simple collection of dried urine samples over one or two days), I use the results to create a tailored plan. This often includes:
Nutrition and lifestyle recommendations
Specific supplements or herbal medicines
Stress management strategies and sleep support
Menopause doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. The DUTCH Test gives you the tools to decode your hormones and take back control of your health. Whether you choose the standard or Extended panel, it can help you reduce symptoms, restore balance, and feel more like yourself again.
