A latest research by an international team, led by scientists from Michigan University says that a simple blood test could give an accurate time when a woman will be in the stage of menopause.

The test is a simple analysis of the hormones in the blood. According to the researchers these hormones fluctuate in the reproductive life cycle of a woman.

The anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and inhibin B concentrations were predictive of the time to menopause. AMH falls to a very low or non-measurable level five years prior to the final menstrual period. This indicates that the woman is nearing menopause.

The scientists studied the fluctuations in the hormones in 629 women over 14 years.

They say, "The information provides a 'roadmap' as to how fast women are progressing through the different elements of their reproductive life. People really want information about 'how long do I have and when'll I have my final menstrual period'.

"We finally have numbers from enough women evaluated over a long time period to describe the reproductive ageing process," lead researcher Professor Maryfran Sowers was quoted by the 'Daily Mail' as saying.