The Hormone Detective: Why I Love the DUTCH Test

If you’ve ever felt like your hormones are calling all the shots during perimenopause or menopause, you’re definitely not alone. This is something I see time and time again in my nutrition clinic. So many women come to me feeling stuck, dismissed or simply confused about what’s happening in their bodies.

This is exactly where one of my favourite tools comes in: the DUTCH test.

What Makes the DUTCH Test Different?

The DUTCH test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) is a simple test that can be done at home. Unlike standard blood tests that give a snapshot of hormone levels at one moment in time, the DUTCH test looks deeper.

It doesn’t just tell us how much oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, or cortisol you have. It shows us how your body is actually processing and metabolising those hormones.

And in my experience, that’s often where the real story lies.

Why This Matters in Perimenopause and Menopause

During perimenopause, hormones don’t gently decline as we might expect. Instead, they can fluctuate dramatically, creating more of a rollercoaster than a smooth transition. These ups and downs are often behind symptoms like anxiety that appears out of nowhere, disrupted sleep (especially those frustrating 3am wake-ups), brain fog, irregular or heavy periods, and sudden energy crashes.

Even once menopause has been reached and hormone levels are generally lower, the way your body handles those hormones - along with how it responds to stress - still plays a huge role in how you feel day to day.

Connecting the Dots (and why clients love it)

This is where the DUTCH test really shines. It helps us make sense of what can otherwise feel like a confusing mix of symptoms. We can begin to see whether oestrogen is being broken down in a healthy way, whether progesterone is too low (which is incredibly common), and what your cortisol rhythm looks like across the day.

One of the biggest reasons both my clients and I value this test so highly is that it removes the guesswork. Instead of trying different supplements or approaches and hoping something works, we’re able to make decisions based on a clear, personalised picture.

There’s also something incredibly validating about seeing your symptoms reflected in your results. Many women have been told what they’re experiencing is 'just part of getting older.' Having real data can feel like a turning point, it confirms that what you’re feeling is real and, more importantly, that it can be supported.

With that information, we can create a much more targeted and effective plan. Whether that involves nutrition, lifestyle changes or stress support, everything is tailored specifically to you. Your cortisol pattern alone can often explain why you might feel wired, exhausted, or somehow both at the same time.

A Smarter Way to Understand Your Body

If you’re navigating perimenopause or menopause and feel like you’re not getting answers, or you’re ready to take a more personalised, root-cause approach, the DUTCH test can be a real game changer. It helps shift you from wondering what’s going on with your body to finally understanding it.

Most importantly, you don’t have to just put up with feeling 'off' during this stage of life. With the right insights and support, it’s absolutely possible to feel like yourself again. Sometimes, it simply starts with looking at your hormones in a smarter, more complete way.

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start understanding your body on a deeper level, the DUTCH test is a brilliant place to begin.

You can learn more and book your test here.

Let’s take the guesswork out of your symptoms and create a plan that truly works for your body.