Essential Female Hormone Saliva Profile
Experiencing Menstrual Changes, PMS or Menopausal Symptoms?
Have your periods become less predictable, your premenstrual symptoms more disruptive or your hot flushes, night sweats or vaginal dryness more noticeable?
This at-home test helps answer one clear question:
How do your salivary estradiol, progesterone and testosterone levels compare with the laboratory’s expected ranges for your cycle stage or life stage?
Collect one morning saliva sample at the appropriate time. Your ZRT Laboratory report shows your three measured hormone levels, compares them with the relevant reference ranges and presents them on clear visual graphs.
The report also includes individualised comments from ZRT’s hormone-specialist clinical team. These comments explain your results in context and, where appropriate, suggest what you could consider or discuss with your healthcare professional next.
£149 — laboratory analysis and specialist laboratory comments included
- One morning saliva sample collected at home
- Estradiol, progesterone and testosterone measurements
- Reference ranges relevant to the information provided
- Visual graph for each measured hormone
- Individualised hormone-specialist laboratory comments
- Suggestions for appropriate next steps
- Physician-reviewed ZRT Laboratory report
- Normally reported within 3–5 working days after the laboratory receives your sample
Is This Test Right for Me?
This test may provide useful additional information if you experience:
- Changes in menstrual-cycle length or regularity
- Premenstrual breast tenderness, bloating or mood changes
- Hot flushes, night sweats or vaginal dryness
- Reduced sexual desire
- Persistent acne or oily skin
- Increased facial or body hair
- Hormone-related concerns during perimenopause or after menopause
- Symptoms while using prescribed hormone treatment
The results should be considered alongside your symptoms, menstrual-cycle timing, life stage, medicines and hormone treatments.
The test provides three salivary hormone measurements. It cannot identify the cause of your symptoms or diagnose conditions such as menopause, PCOS or a menstrual disorder by itself.
What Will My Results Help Me Understand?
Your report is designed to give you more than three unexplained laboratory numbers.
1. See Your Estradiol Level
Estradiol is an important form of oestrogen involved in the menstrual cycle, bone health and vaginal tissue health.
Your report shows your measured salivary estradiol level and compares it with the relevant laboratory reference range.
This provides additional hormone information when reviewing symptoms such as menstrual changes, hot flushes, night sweats or vaginal dryness.
2. Put Your Progesterone Result Into Cycle Context
Progesterone normally rises after ovulation. Its interpretation therefore depends heavily on when the sample is collected.
Your report shows your measured progesterone level in the context of the cycle and treatment information recorded on your Test Requisition Form.
This can contribute to a review of cycle changes or recurring premenstrual symptoms. It should not be treated as proof of “oestrogen dominance” or as the sole explanation for PMS.
3. Understand Your Testosterone Result
Testosterone contributes to female sexual wellbeing and has roles in muscle and bone health. Higher androgen activity may also be relevant when reviewing persistent acne or increased facial or body hair.
Your report shows your salivary testosterone result and where it falls within the laboratory range.
This can help your healthcare professional decide whether established blood androgen tests or another investigation may be appropriate.
4. Consider What to Do Next
Your laboratory comments explain the measured results and may identify relevant points to discuss with your healthcare professional.
Depending on your results and symptoms, this may help you decide whether to:
- Review your symptoms alongside your menstrual-cycle history
- Discuss hot flushes, night sweats or vaginal symptoms
- Consider further reproductive-hormone or thyroid testing
- Arrange additional assessment for possible androgen excess or PCOS
- Review prescribed HRT, contraception or other hormone treatment
- Track symptoms across several cycles
- Discuss any suggested supplement or hormone use before starting treatment
The results provide additional information to support your next decision. Treatment choices require consideration of your symptoms, medical history and appropriate clinical assessment.
What Will My Report Include?
Your physician-reviewed ZRT Laboratory report includes:
- Your salivary estradiol result
- Your salivary progesterone result
- Your salivary testosterone result
- Laboratory reference ranges for comparison
- Clear within-range, high or low result indicators
- Visual graphs showing where each result falls
- Your recorded collection date and time
- Your menstrual and life-stage information, where applicable
- Relevant medicines and hormone treatments reported on your form
- Your reported symptoms, where applicable
- Individualised hormone-specialist laboratory comments
- Relevant suggestions or considerations based on the findings
If previous ZRT results are available, they may also appear for comparison, helping you follow changes over time.
What Does the Test Measure?
The test measures three salivary sex hormones:
- Estradiol (E2)
- Progesterone
- Testosterone
Saliva testing measures the unbound fraction of these hormones present in the sample collected that morning.
Correct cycle timing and complete treatment information are particularly important because hormone levels and the relevant reference ranges can vary with menstrual stage, menopause and hormone use.
Test Details
Test ID: S-123
Sample type: Saliva
Hormones measured: Estradiol, progesterone and testosterone
Results reported: 3
Testing method: LC-MS/MS
Collection: One morning saliva sample
Laboratory: ZRT Laboratory — CLIA-certified
Specialist interpretation: Individualised hormone-specialist laboratory comments included
Report review: Physician-reviewed
Suitable for: Adults and children
Laboratory reporting time: Normally 3–5 working days after the laboratory receives your sample
What Is Included?
Your purchase includes:
- At-home saliva collection kit
- Saliva collection tube
- Test Requisition Form
- Step-by-step collection and cycle-timing instructions
- Laboratory analysis of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone
- Complete ZRT Laboratory results report
- Reference-range comparisons
- Visual result graphs
- Individualised hormone-specialist laboratory comments
- Suggestions or considerations for appropriate next steps
- Physician review of the report
- Laboratory analysis fee
The specialist interpretation is included within your ZRT Laboratory report, so there is no separate interpretation to wait for. Return postage to the laboratory is paid separately by the customer.
How It Works
1. Choose the Appropriate Collection Day
Select your collection day using the cycle-timing guidance supplied with your kit.
Women who do not have menstrual periods can collect on any day, subject to any treatment-timing instructions.
2. Collect Your Sample at Home
Collect one saliva sample within 30 minutes of waking, before eating, drinking anything other than water or brushing your teeth.
No blood draw, appointment or clinic visit is required.
3. Send Your Sample to the Laboratory
Label the tube with the collection date and time, complete your Test Requisition Form and post everything to ZRT Laboratory using the packaging and return instructions supplied.
Providing complete information about your symptoms, menstrual history, medicines, supplements and hormone treatments helps the laboratory prepare the most relevant comments.
4. Receive Your Explained Results
ZRT Laboratory analyses your sample and prepares your physician-reviewed report.
The report normally arrives within 3–5 working days after the laboratory receives your sample. It includes your three hormone results, visual comparisons, individualised comments and relevant next-step considerations.
Kit delivery and return-postage time are separate from the laboratory reporting period.
Which Female Hormone Test Should I Choose?
| What do you want to understand? | Recommended test |
|---|---|
| What are my salivary estradiol, progesterone and testosterone levels? | Essential Female Hormone Saliva Profile |
| What are these three sex-hormone levels together with DHEAS and morning cortisol? | Female Saliva Hormone Profile I |
| How do these three sex hormones relate to cortisol measured across the day? | Female Saliva Hormone Profile II |
| Do I need all three forms of oestrogen together with progesterone, testosterone, DHEAS and cortisol? | Female Saliva Hormone Profile III |
Choose this test if you want a focused three-hormone saliva profile.
Choose a broader profile if tiredness, changing energy or sleep concerns mean that DHEAS or cortisol information would also be useful.
Preparing for Your Test
Choose Your Collection Day
If you menstruate, use the following schedule:
| Your usual cycle length | When to collect |
|---|---|
| 23–26 days | Day 17, 18 or 19 |
| 27–30 days | Day 21, 22 or 23 |
| 31–34 days | Day 25, 26 or 27 |
| Shorter or longer regular cycles | Five to seven days before your next expected period |
| Infrequent or unpredictable cycles | Any non-bleeding day |
| No menstrual periods | Any day, following treatment-timing instructions where applicable |
Day 1 is the first day of menstrual flow, not spotting.
Prepare and Collect Your Sample
For an accurate and usable sample:
- Collect within 30 minutes of waking.
- Do not eat, drink anything other than water or brush your teeth before collection.
- Avoid anti-ageing or anti-wrinkle facial creams and biotin supplements for three days before testing.
- Record your menstrual stage and all medicines, supplements and hormone treatments on the Test Requisition Form.
- Fill the tube at least halfway, excluding bubbles.
- Freeze the sample if you will not post it within 24 hours.
If you use HRT, hormonal contraception or another hormone treatment, follow the treatment-specific timing instructions supplied with your kit.
Topical hormones can contaminate saliva samples. Use gloves or an applicator, avoid applying hormones to your face, lips or neck and follow all contamination-prevention instructions carefully.
Read the Full Saliva Collection Instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Report Explain What My Results Mean?
Yes. Your ZRT Laboratory report includes individualised comments from its hormone-specialist clinical team and is physician-reviewed.
The comments explain your estradiol, progesterone and testosterone results in context and may include relevant considerations or suggestions about what to discuss with your healthcare professional next.
When Should I Collect During My Menstrual Cycle?
The best collection day depends on your usual cycle length.
For a 27–30-day cycle, collect on day 21, 22 or 23. For other cycle lengths, follow the table above and the instructions supplied with your kit.
Can I Use the Test if I Am Postmenopausal?
Yes. If you no longer have menstrual periods, you can collect on any day, subject to the treatment-timing instructions if you use HRT or another hormone treatment.
Record your menopausal stage and all treatments on the Test Requisition Form so the relevant information is available for interpretation.
Can I Use the Test While Taking HRT or the Contraceptive Pill?
Yes, subject to the collection and treatment-timing instructions. Continue prescribed treatment unless your prescriber advises otherwise.
Record HRT, contraception and all other treatments on the Test Requisition Form. If you use topical hormones, follow the contamination-prevention instructions carefully.
Can This Test Diagnose Menopause, PCOS or the Cause of PMS?
No. The test provides three salivary hormone measurements for consideration alongside your symptoms and menstrual history.
Diagnosis of menopause, PCOS or another menstrual condition may require clinical assessment and additional investigations.
What Does the Testosterone Result Tell Me?
The result shows your measured salivary testosterone level and how it compares with the laboratory reference range.
Reduced libido can have several causes. Acne, oily skin or increased facial and body hair may also require established blood androgen tests and assessment for conditions such as PCOS.
Why Use Saliva?
Saliva provides a convenient, non-invasive way to collect a morning sample at home. It measures the unbound fraction of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone present in the sample.
Blood and saliva tests measure hormones differently and should not be treated as interchangeable.
How Quickly Will I Receive My Results?
The laboratory normally reports within 3–5 working days after receiving your sample. Kit delivery and return-postage times are additional.
How Long Can I Keep the Kit?
Use the kit within 12 months of purchase.
Are There Any Additional Charges?
The collection kit, laboratory analysis and ZRT Laboratory report are included in the price. You are responsible for arranging and paying for return postage to the laboratory.
Not Sure Whether This Is the Right Test?
Email info@hormonelab.co.uk with your age, main symptoms, medicines and current treatments. Our team will forward your enquiry to our specialist doctors and respond with a suggested testing option within 24 hours.
