The DUTCH test in menopause: why it could be the missing piece of your midlife puzzle

If you’re in perimenopause or menopause and wondering why your body suddenly feels like it’s working against you – hot flushes, sleep all over the place, moods swinging, energy in the gutter – then I want to introduce you to one of my favourite tools: the DUTCH Complete Test. You can stop Googling "DUTCH test in menopause" because this article has all the info you need to make a decision about whether it's right for you. Let's get started!

First things first, this is not just another blood test. In fact, it's not even a blood test - and "DUTCH" has nothing to do with the Netherlands. "DUTCH test" stands for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones and it's a deep dive into your all of the important hormones, your stress response, and even how your body is metabolising and clearing hormones. And if you’re in Chelmsford (or nearby Essex or you have access to a computer for a zoom consultation ), it’s something I use in my clinic to help women get real answers and finally feel like themselves again.

There are various different forms of the test but if you're looking for the best DUTCH test when you're in your menopause era, you want the DUTCH Complete.

Why the DUTCH test is so powerful for women over 40

Here’s the problem: most GP blood tests take a snapshot of your hormones at one point in the day. Helpful? Sort of. But hormones don’t work like that. They ebb and flow across the day and the month.

The DUTCH test measures multiple samples across 24 hours – so you get the full picture. And it’s not just levels, it’s what your body is doing with them. That’s the game-changer.

Instead of being told, “Your bloods are normal,” when you feel anything but, this test can reveal the hidden imbalances behind your symptoms.

What the DUTCH test can tell you

Think of it as your personal hormone report card. It looks at:

• Oestrogen and its metabolites – not just how much you’re making, but how you’re clearing it (some pathways are safer than others).

• Progesterone metabolites – the yin to oestrogen’s yang, vital for sleep, calm and mood.

• Testosterone and DHEA – yes, women need these too, for energy, muscle tone and libido.

• Cortisol rhythm – how your body handles stress over the day, and whether you’re running on fumes.

• Melatonin – your sleep-wake hormone.

• Neurotransmitter metabolites – clues about dopamine and serotonin, linked to mood, motivation and focus.

• Nutrient markers – like B6, B12 and glutathione (your master antioxidant).

• Oxidative stress – a marker for how much cellular “wear and tear” your body is under.

That’s a LOT more intel than a one-off blood test can ever give you.

5 reasons you need the DUTCH test in perimenopause (menopause and post-menopause)

1. You get clarity on your symptoms - No more second-guessing if it’s hormones, stress, sleep, or “just midlife.” You’ll know what’s driving your fatigue, mood swings or weight gain.

2. It goes beyond blood work - So many women tell me their GP said everything looked “fine,” yet they still felt awful. The DUTCH test often reveals why.

3. It shows hormone pathways - This is huge for oestrogen, because the way you metabolise it can influence your risk of things like breast cancer.

4. It’s brilliant if you’re on HRT - You’ll see how your body is responding and processing the hormones, so your treatment can be fine-tuned.

5. It’s a springboard for a personalised plan - No more generic advice. You get recommendations for nutrition, lifestyle, supplements and stress support that are laser-targeted to your results.

How a functional medicine practitioner like me uses your results

Here’s the thing: the DUTCH report is about 20 pages long. It’s colourful, it’s packed with graphs, and it’s fascinating – but it’s not bedtime reading.

On your own, it’s just data. In the hands of a practitioner who understands midlife women? It becomes a roadmap. Sure, you can buy the test with no support at all (not from me btw) but I suggest you don't. I take your results and combine them with your health history, your symptoms, your lifestyle, and your goals. From there we create a plan that might include:

• Balancing blood sugar to support cortisol and energy

• Nutrients and foods that help your liver detox oestrogen safely

• Sleep strategies linked to your melatonin rhythm

• Stress management tailored to your cortisol curve

• Support for mood and brain fog based on your neurotransmitter profile

It’s about connecting the dots between the science and your real life – so you can get back to feeling energised, confident and in control.

Who is the DUTCH test for?

• Women in perimenopause with unpredictable cycles and rollercoaster symptoms

• Women in menopause who want to understand what’s happening behind the scenes

• Women on HRT who want to see how it’s working for them

• Anyone with fatigue, stubborn weight, mood changes, low libido or sleep issues that haven’t been explained by standard bloods

Why is the DUTCH test not available on the NHS?

I get asked this a lot. The DUTCH test simply isn’t available through the NHS – it’s a functional medicine tool. You can only access it privately through a practitioner trained to interpret it. And honestly, that’s a good thing. Because this isn’t about throwing more tests at you. It’s about using the right test, at the right time, to unlock answers you’ve been missing.

Ready to find out what your hormones are really doing?

If you’re in Chelmsford or the Essex area and you’re fed up of being told everything looks “normal” when you feel anything but – the DUTCH Complete Test could be the missing piece of your midlife health jigsaw. And if you're not in my local area (and many of my clients aren't), we'll hope on a zoom call. I’ll help you order the test, interpret your results, and create a plan that’s realistic, personalised, and focused on you getting your energy, mood and confidence back. Because menopause is not the end of the story. With the right information, it can be the beginning of feeling fabulous again.

✨ Want to know more about whether the DUTCH test is right for you? Book a free call with me here and let’s talk about your next step.