FSH hormone levels in women. Norm of follicle-stimulating hormone in women depending on age

Before puberty occurs, the level of follicle-stimulating hormone in the blood is low. During puberty, there is a cyclic release of biosynthesized hormonal compounds from the cells of the endocrine system into the venous blood and lymph. The development of the gonads begins and the secretion of sex hormones occurs. FSH enters the blood in pulses at intervals of 1 to 4 hours.

In the fair sex, the FSH hormone provokes the appearance of follicles and, in combination with luteotropin, stimulates the biosynthesis of such an important steroid hormone as estradiol. An increase in its content reduces the secretion of FSH according to the principle of negative feedback. Most concentrated in female body follicle stimulating hormone in the middle menstrual cycle along with the peak of ovulation hormone of the pituitary gland. When FSH reaches a critical level, the egg is released from the ovary, as the mature follicle ruptures.

During menopause, the concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone increases due to a decrease in estradiol levels. In men, FSH is responsible for the functioning of the seminiferous tubules and controls the development of germ cells such as sperm.

2 When should you get tested?

An FSH test must be taken when diagnosing various gynecological diseases, especially with regard to female infertility. If a specialist discovers that a woman has an increased level of gonadotropins, and the level of sex steroids is significantly reduced, then he will diagnose weak activity of the gonads.

For FSH, the norm in patients depends on the phase of the menstrual cycle. If the phase is menstrual, then the values range from 3.5 to 12.5 mU/ml. During the follicular phase, which is days 4-14 of the cycle, the indicators remain the same. If the phase is ovulatory, then the FSH level is about 4.7 to 21.5 mU/ml. During the luteal phase, levels range from 1.7 to 9 mU/ml, and during menopause they reach 25-100 mU/ml. If we consider this hormone, it is provided in reference values. It depends on the laboratory research method, type of reagents, etc.

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The test is recommended to be performed on the 6th or 7th day of the menstrual cycle. It is worth noting that 3 days before the analysis it is necessary not to subject the body to strong sports stress. You should refrain from smoking 1.5 hours before the test. Before starting the procedure, you need to take a sitting position, calm down and get rid of bad thoughts in your head. It is best to take the test in the morning (from 7 to 11). The day before, it is advisable to stop drinking alcohol and exclude carbonated drinks, tea, coffee and any food for 8-12 hours.

Blood should be donated on an empty stomach. The specialist takes samples 3 times within half an hour.

The procedure is performed when a woman is concerned about the following factors:

inability to conceive a child during childbearing age with regular sex;
lack of ovulation;
the onset of puberty at an early age or, conversely, at a late age;
uterine bleeding, the cause of which is the improper functioning of the organ;
increase in the mucous layer of the uterus;
inflammatory processes occurring in the internal genital organs in a chronic form;
long periods or, conversely, their absence;
checking the effects of hormonal drugs on the body.

For the treatment and prevention of problems with the menstrual cycle (amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, Opsomenorrhea, etc.) and vaginal dysbiosis, our readers successfully use a simple advice from chief gynecologist Leila Adamova. After carefully studying this method, we decided to bring it to your attention.

3 Pathological processes

Most common cause An increase in FSH levels in women is considered the arrival of menopause. If the concentration of this hormone increases in people of the reproductive period, this is a pathology.

Follicle-stimulating hormone in elevated concentrations can signal:

unexpected onset of menopause due to premature ovarian failure;
aging in the pelvic cavity;
a congenital disease caused by an abnormal number of chromosomes;
underdevelopment of the gonads.

In men, one of the most common phenomena when FSH is abnormal is a chromosomal disease, which is characterized by the presence of 1 or several female sex chromosomes in the male karyotype.

If FSH is in low concentration, this may indicate:

4 Normal for a child

The norm for children depends on factors such as age and gender. In girls under 1 year of age, follicle-stimulating hormone should be from 1.8 to 2.3 mU/ml. Then up to 5 years it ranges from 0.6 to 6.2 mU/ml. At school age it decreases to 4.5 mU/ml and remains the same until the onset of puberty.

In boys under 1 year of age, the hormone norm should be no lower than 3.5 mU/ml, under 5 years old - less than 1.5 mU/ml, at school age - no more than 3 mU/m.

When follicle-stimulating hormone is examined, the norm in young women varies according to the phases of the menstrual cycle.

If FSH in women is exceeded, then disorders such as disruptions in ovarian activity, approaching menopause, or the presence of a benign tumor in the anterior pituitary gland are possible.

5 Treatments

In order for the hormone level in the female body to increase, it is necessary to follow a diet. You should include in your diet foods that contain natural fatty acids. These include fatty fish and flaxseed oil, which are rich in Omega-3s. To obtain Omega-6 by the body, you need to consume borage oil, and sunflower oil, nuts and avocados are considered a real storehouse of Omega-9.

If FSH is low, it is recommended to add cabbage and spinach to the diet, foods that contain large quantities of vitamins and various minerals that have a positive effect on the activity of the endocrine system, as well as to synthesize the FSH hormone. For these purposes, you need to eat seaweed and sea vegetables, such as spirulina, nori, etc. You can combine them and make a smoothie or salad.

To improve blood supply to the pituitary gland, it is necessary to consume ginseng capsules. The daily dose is 2 capsules. Exceeding the dosage is strictly prohibited, as a side effect may occur in the form of increased blood clotting.

It is useful to take dietary supplements to increase FSH levels. Vitex is considered the most common. It normalizes hormone levels and the functioning of the pituitary gland. The course of taking Vitex is 30 days.

For proper levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, you need to normalize your weight.

Quite often, women are exposed to various stressful situations and strong emotional stress, so it is recommended to use special techniques to relax the nervous system. These include: yoga classes, regular meditation, taking a hot bath with aroma oil, doing physical exercise. It is important to get enough sleep and go to bed at the same time.

If all of the above treatment methods are powerless, then you need to contact a specialist again and undergo x-rays, MRIs and ultrasounds. Sometimes surgical intervention is not necessary, as removal of a cyst in the ovaries or pituitary gland will be required.

Sometimes your doctor will prescribe hormone replacement therapy, which aims to change the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body. It lies in the fact that you need to use drugs containing these hormones in synthetic form. When their level returns to normal, the concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone will also return to normal.

Most often, elevated FSH levels are observed in women over 40 years of age. This is due to a decrease in the number of eggs. This problem is the main cause of infertility at this age.

FSH increases metabolism, affects bone growth, and the development of genital organs, so it is important to contact a specialist in a timely manner if unpleasant symptoms are detected.

Menopause, or - a transitional state in women associated with the decline of the reproductive function of the female reproductive system.

At the age of 45–59 years, physiological changes occur in a woman’s body, the concentration of hormones of the reproductive system decreases, menstruation stops, in women in menopause it increases, and a number of symptoms appear that significantly worsen the quality of life:

Hot flashes – changes in internal body temperature up to 5 degrees, dizziness, palpitations, nausea, vomiting appear.
Increase in adipose tissue reserves. Since estrogen synthesis stops in the ovaries, the body tries to compensate for the lack of hormone levels and produces it from the adipose tissue depot, namely cholesterol. Therefore, a woman's total mass body and increases the deposition of abdominal fat.
Changes in skin structure: sebum excretion decreases, moisture increases, flaking decreases.
Sleep disorder: frequent awakenings, shallow sleep, the period of falling asleep is prolonged, there is no feeling of proper rest.
Urogenital disorders. Urinary incontinence, frequent urination, cystalgia, pain during sexual intercourse, dryness and itching in the vagina - all these are atrophic changes in the epithelium.

Every woman should be prepared for menopause, know what medications will help improve her quality of life at this moment and direct her efforts towards a dignified transition to menopause.

Important! Statistics show that 80% of divorces occur during the postpartum and menopausal periods in a woman’s life. A man aged 45-50 is just starting to live, and he does not understand what transformations are taking place inside a woman’s body and why she has become irritable, nervous, sleep-deprived, she refuses intimate intimacy and it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain beauty.

Functions of hormones in the female body

Normal hormonal levels are a constant balancing of hormones in the female reproductive system, which try to maintain the health and reproductive function of a woman at an optimal level for the birth of offspring.

The main hormones responsible for the stable functioning of the reproductive system are:

– is formed in the pituitary gland and is responsible for the maturation of follicles in the egg.
– synthesized in the pituitary gland, responsible for the formation of ovulation, rupture of the dominant follicle and release of the egg from it.
is formed in the corpus luteum and adrenal glands, in the 2nd phase of the menstrual cycle it prepares the body for pregnancy: it ensures the attachment of the fertilized egg to the endometrium of the uterus, thickens the cervical mucus for easier passage of sperm, and deposits fat reserves for further nutrition of the egg.
Estrogens are synthesized in the ovaries, adrenal gland and adipose tissue, help grow the endometrium in the uterus, which will then be used by progesterone for implantation of the fertilized egg, ensure the growth of alveoli and mammary ducts, enhance protein synthesis and cholesterol metabolism, retain water and form follicles in the ovaries.
In the regulation of all direct and feedback connections, pituitary hormones also play a role, such as adrenocorticotropic hormone (stimulates the work of the adrenal glands - the production of androgens, estrogens and progesterone), thyroid-stimulating hormone (ensures the coherence of the thyroid gland with the female reproductive system), prolactin (forms the alveolar ducts of the mammary glands, ensures lactation).
All these hormones are headed by the hypothalamus, which controls the work and concentration of all hormones; it is he who decides which hormone to increase or decrease the concentration with the help of its regulators - gonadotropin-releasing hormone (controls FSH and LH), corticoliberin (control of ACTH) and statins (control TSH).

Normal FSH values

FSH hormone: the norm in women during menopause increases significantly compared to the values during the menstrual cycle: during the follicular phase of the cycle - 3.5 - 12.5 mIU/ml; during ovulation, the concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone fluctuates between 4.7 - 25 mIU/ ml, in the luteal phase - 1.2 - 9 mIU/ml, indicators for menopause already have different values - 19 - 150 mIU/ml. Thus, the concentration of FSH during menopause increases 4-5 times. In this case, the concentration of estrogen will be small - 11 - 95 pg/ml, whereas in reproductive age its norm is 12 - 191 pg/ml.

Attention!

A high level of FSH is a signal of the onset of menopause. Estrogen levels should be in the lower normal range, otherwise this may indicate the presence of an estrogen-producing source - for example, a tumor.

How do FSH levels change with age?

For girls before the onset of puberty (up to 11-14 years), the FSH level remains low - 1.5 - 4.0 mIU/ml, since their body is not yet capable of childbearing.

During puberty, FSH will increase until a normal, regular menstrual cycle is established.

In women of reproductive age, the concentration of the hormone fluctuates depending on the phase and day of the menstrual cycle:

Follicular phase (days 1 – 13) – 3.5 – 12.5 mIU/ml
Ovulation (14-16 days) – 4.7 – 25.0 mIU/ml
Luteal phase (17 – 28 days) – 1.2 – 9 mIU/ml

During menopause, FSH is 19 - 150 3mIU/ml - the norm for women after 45 years is increased, treatment is not required if you feel adequately.

Hormonal imbalances

When the ovaries run out of ovarian reserve and are no longer able to synthesize follicles, estrogen levels decrease significantly.

The hypothalamus stimulates the production of FSH in order to increase the synthesis of estrogen.

In response to increased FSH, the transformation of cholesterol in the adipose tissue depot into androgens increases, from which the hormone estrone is then formed - one of the forms of estrogens.

However, estrone is formed in insufficient quantities, and gradually the FSH hormone during menopause will decrease somewhat, but the numbers will still remain high.

Premenopause is a woman’s period characterized by a gradual shortening of the cycle and the disappearance of menstruation; it is at this moment that symptoms appear that worsen the quality of life. Postmenopause is the stage after a year of cessation of menstruation.

When can FSH increase?

An increase in FSH causes the following conditions:

a number of medications (statins, antifungal drugs, drugs that normalize insulin levels in diabetes mellitus),
bad habits (alcohol, smoking, excessive consumption of caffeine-containing drinks),
infectious diseases during exacerbation,
stressful conditions,
low estrogen content in the body - follicular phase deficiency, tumors in the pituitary gland or ovaries, endometrial diseases.

In what cases can FSH decrease?

FSH decreases with high estrogen levels.

The causes of decreased follicle-stimulating hormone can be:

Reception medicines causing a decrease in FSH concentration (glucocorticosteroids, combined oral contraceptives, anabolic steroids);
Pregnancy;
Defect in the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary system (for example, a tumor);
Ovarian dysfunction ();
Overweight or obesity.

Restoring normal FSH levels

During premenopause and the appearance of disturbing symptoms, a gynecologist-endocrinologist may prescribe combined oral contraceptives containing “natural” estrogens or hormone replacement therapy.

To select therapy, it is necessary to collect a thorough medical history in order to assess the risks of using a particular treatment method.

Diet

To increase the concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone, it is necessary to eat foods containing cholesterol, as well as use products that stimulate cholesterol synthesis:

Meat of various varieties, lard, liver;
Fatty fish;
Butter;
Greens, nuts, fruits.

The main task is to adhere to the principles of proper nutrition - meals 5-6 times a day, small portions with an even distribution of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

A balanced diet with physical activity and a proper work and rest regime will help you maintain your figure and maintain good mood for the entire period of premenopause.

You can also use non-hormonal phytoestrogens - cohosh, flax, soy, hops.

Interesting!

Hops are a natural estrogen, so beer is considered a feminine drink that helps increase the concentration of estrogen in the body.

Drug treatment

First of all, if one of the above symptoms appears, you need to consult a gynecologist - endocrinologist.

It is also necessary to note the main syndrome that worries you - it is this that the doctor will correct: sleep disorder - they will prescribe a drug that restores the functioning of circadian rhythms, mental disorders - magnesium drugs, dysuric disorders - they may even recommend surgery.

Conclusion

The onset of menopause largely depends on the individuality of the woman; she may not feel anything and understand that she has entered menopause only with the cessation of menstruation, while another will experience hot flashes, have trouble falling asleep and go through all the transitional stages.

There is an opinion that how a woman of reproductive age endures premenstrual period, the menopause will feel the same for her.

In any case, if you have complaints and a deterioration in the quality of life, contact a specialist who will correct the symptoms, and menopause will occur unnoticed.

Video: Menopause in women

In both men and women, the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland produces biologically active substances that directly affect the normal functioning of the reproductive system. One of these is the FSH hormone, the norm of which in women fluctuates on different days of the month. In addition to it, gonadotropic hormones include luteinizing hormone and prolactin synthesized by pituitary cells.

The level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is not constant. Its quantitative content in the blood changes during different periods of life. In girls aged 1.5 to 9 years, its indicator is 0.11-1.6 mIU/ml. A significant increase in the level of the hormone in a child indicates the approaching time when puberty occurs.

The same phenomenon is observed in women during menopause. Due to a decrease in ovarian activity, estradiol is produced in a smaller volume; the level of synthesized active substances – follicle-stimulating and luteinizing – increases in the pituitary gland. Laboratory tests performed against this background can show a result ranging from 25.8 to 134.8 mIU/ml.

FSH levels also fluctuate depending on the periods of the menstrual cycle. During each of them, cyclical processes occur that affect a woman’s ability to conceive a child.

Menstrual phase from 1 to 6 days

Immediately after the start of monthly bleeding and all 4-6 days while it lasts, the level of FSH in women is quite low - from 2.5 to 12.5 mIU/ml.

Follicular phase from days 3 to 14

A feature of this period is the rapid growth of follicles and the maturation of eggs inside them under the influence of high levels of FSH. Of several active follicles, only one (the largest) will be able to move into the next menstrual phase.

As the dominant follicle develops, the level of other hormones increases - estrogens, which are responsible for the development of the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium). The follicular phase lasts up to two weeks. Follitropin in the blood at this stage is the same as after the onset of menstruation.

Ovulatory phase from 13 to 15 days

She falls in the middle monthly cycle. This period is characterized by the highest level of FSH per month, which coincides with an increase in the content of luteinizing hormone (LH). As a result, the follicle ruptures, from which a mature egg emerges. These days, the indicator rises to maximum monthly values, reaching 4.7-29.4 mIU/ml.

Luteal phase from 15 days before the start of menstruation

It occurs after the rupture of the follicle, in its place a corpus luteum appears. It actively synthesizes progesterone, while the level of FSH and estrogen decreases. Immediately before the onset of menstruation, follicle-stimulating hormone in the blood again becomes greater. Average values at this phase of the cycle are 1.7-7.7 mIU/ml.

Hormone ratio

In the initial period of the menstrual cycle, the content of FSH in the blood exceeds the amount of LH. That's why it is called the follicular phase. In the second half of the menstrual cycle, LH increases.

The ratio of LH to FSH hormones is extremely important for determining the state of the reproductive system and the readiness of the female body to conceive.

The amount of hormones LH and follitropin (FSH) is not the same at different periods of a woman’s life. In girls who have not reached puberty, the LH/FSH ratio is 1:1. This indicates that equal amounts of both hormones are synthesized in the child’s body.

Before the onset of menarche (first menstruation), this value approaches 1.5:1 (the content of luteinizing hormone prevails over the amount of FSH). When puberty is completed and a stable menstrual rhythm is established, the hormone that stimulates the growth of follicles is one and a half (sometimes 2) times less than luteinizing hormone. This phenomenon lasts until a woman enters menopause.

When reproductive functions decline, the hormones FSH and LH are produced by the pituitary gland, but the amount of luteinizing hormone is significantly reduced. At normal FSH 30-128 mIU/ml, and LH 19-73 mIU/ml, their ratio is 1.5-2. It is the increased level of follicle-stimulating substance that gives rise to a large number of unpleasant symptoms that a woman feels when menopause occurs.

When do you take a blood test for FSH?

Hormones produced in the pituitary gland - FSH LH prolactin, as well as thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) have a direct effect on a woman’s reproductive ability. Therefore, if you have problems with conception, as well as if you suspect gynecological pathologies caused by hormonal imbalance, doctors order a laboratory test.

But women need to know that in order to get an objective result, they need to choose the “right” day to go to the laboratory. It is then that the objective result will show.

If you need to find out the FSH level, you will have to donate blood between days 3 and 8 of the cycle (or from 19 to 21). Before this, it is recommended not to eat anything for at least 8 hours. If possible, it is better not to take any medications the day before the test, and you should not drink alcoholic beverages.

Most often, an analysis is prescribed to determine the cause of infertility, as well as in other cases:

in order to determine the phase of the menstrual cycle;
if you need to identify the causes of impaired sexual function;
for diagnostic purposes for early or delayed sexual development;
when monitoring the effectiveness of hormonal treatment.

In some cases, along with a blood test for FSH content, additional data on the level of hormones - thyroid-stimulating, testosterone, progesterone - may be needed. Sometimes it is necessary to donate blood for estradiol.

You need to find out the level of FSH in a woman with the following pathologies:

disruption of the pituitary gland;
infertility;
recurrent miscarriages;
painful periods;
menstrual irregularities;
the monthly cycle is too long (40 days or more).

It is necessary to find out the hormonal level if a woman is preparing for pregnancy. The examination is part of a program to prepare for in vitro fertilization.

Experts associate increased levels of the hormone with disturbances in the functioning of the ovaries, which lead to the early onset of menopause, as well as overactive functioning of the pituitary gland and some other pathologies. Low FSH content is characteristic of hypofunction of the endocrine gland located in the brain.

Conclusion

Follicle-stimulating hormone is synthesized by the endocrine gland of the brain, which weighs only about 0.5 grams - the pituitary gland. The normal time interval at which FSH is produced lasts from 1 to 4 hours. The amount of follitropin entering the blood is influenced by the content of other biologically active substances - testosterone, progesterone, and estradiol plays an important role. In this case, feedback works - the higher the level of sex hormones, the lower the amount of FSH and vice versa.

This close relationship explains the unequal content of follicle-stimulating hormone at different stages of a woman’s life - during puberty or reproductive age, with the onset of menopause.

The main function of FSH is to increase the efficiency of the ripening process of follicles that contain eggs. It occurs most actively in the first half of the monthly cycle, and accordingly, the level of the hormone is then maximum. As soon as the follicle has grown to the desired size, luteinizing hormone begins to act. It causes rupture of the Graafian vesicle and the release of an egg from it - ovulation.

The hormones LH and FSH, as well as progesterone, estradiol and prolactin, produced in the female body create the most comfortable conditions for conception and a successful pregnancy.

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Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is present in the body of not only men, but also women, responsible for such an important process as egg maturation. FSH is often called estrogens - “male” hormones, which is not an entirely correct definition. The thing is that FSH only activates the process of synthesis of estrogens from testosterone. This process in a woman’s body is observed from the first days of the menstrual cycle and lasts until the moment of ovulation, when the level of estrogen in a woman’s body is at its highest. If the egg is not fertilized, the amount of estrogen gradually decreases. Therefore, by the time a new menstrual cycle begins, the body begins to produce FSH again.

A lack or excess of follicle-stimulating hormone in a woman’s blood is a serious deviation that can lead to the development of all kinds of diseases. For example, with a lack of FSH, representatives of the fairer sex often suffer from infertility and have underdeveloped genitals, and also complain of very scanty discharge during menstruation. Excess FSH, on the contrary, leads to heavy vaginal bleeding, which is usually not associated with menstruation, and may also indicate the presence of an endometrioid ovarian cyst, dysfunction of the pituitary gland, alcohol abuse, or the development of radiation sickness.

FSH norm

In case of reproductive disorders in women, an analysis to determine the content of follicle-stimulating hormones in the blood is a mandatory procedure. The amount of FSH is measured in medical units, and its volume can vary significantly depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. Thus, it is generally accepted that at the initial stage of the menstrual cycle, the norm of FSH in the blood of women is from 2.8 to 11.3 mU/l. During this period, this figure increases significantly and can fluctuate between 5.8-21 mU/l. The lowest level of follicle-stimulating hormone in a woman’s blood is recorded in the last phase of the menstrual cycle, called luteal, and ranges from 1.2 to 9 mU/l. If the FSH norm in a woman’s blood is exceeded or significantly reduced, as a rule, an additional medical examination is prescribed, the purpose of which is to identify the causes of deviations and prescribe appropriate treatment. The exception is situations when FSH tests are taken by women during menopause. In such cases, the level of follicle-stimulating hormone in the blood will always be elevated, and this is the norm, as it indicates hormonal changes in the entire body. But even in this case, we should not forget that the FSH level should not be higher than 10 mU/l, otherwise we can confidently say that we are talking about serious problems endocrine system, which require urgent medical intervention.

In order to correctly and as accurately as possible determine the level of follicle-stimulating hormone in the blood, tests should be taken on days 4-6 or 19-21 of the menstrual cycle. However, you should not eat food before taking blood. It should also be taken into account that when carrying out such an analysis, not only the amount of FSH in the blood is taken into account, but also its ratio with gonadotropic hormones (L). It is generally accepted that until puberty, FSH and LH are present in a 1:1 ratio in the body of a teenage girl. About a year after the start of menstruation, the amount of FSH in relation to LH in the body decreases by 1.5 times, and after 2-3 years - by 2 times. The cause of disruption of this balance can be such common diseases as polycystic disease or ovarian failure, as well as a pituitary tumor.

Hormone analysis is an indispensable diagnostic method. Nowadays, not a single serious examination can be done without it if a woman comes to the doctor with complaints of any gynecological problems. Hormones control all processes in the body, from birth to old age. Doctors know certain patterns according to which their production changes at different periods of life. It is useful for every woman to get to know them in order to understand when what is happening to her is the norm and when it is a pathology.

follicular – phase of egg maturation;
ovulation – the release of an egg ready for fertilization from a mature follicle;
luteal – the phase of formation of the corpus luteum and possible fertilization of the egg.

In turn, the production of estrogen in the first phase of the cycle and progesterone in the second is controlled by the brain. The pituitary gland produces special substances (FSH, LH, prolactin) that affect the production of female sex hormones in the ovaries.

The role of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in a woman’s body is that under its influence, estrogen is synthesized from testosterone in the ovaries in the first phase of the cycle. Thanks to the action of FSH, follicles mature, the largest of which (dominant) contains a mature egg at the time of ovulation.

Video: The role of FSH in the body. LH/FSH ratio

Changes in hormone levels at different periods of life

FSH production begins in children immediately after birth. Before puberty, hormone levels are low. With the onset of puberty, it begins to grow.

During the reproductive period, the hormone content is not constant: it increases in the first phase to a maximum during ovulation, then decreases in the second phase. The fact is that the intensity of hormone production in the pituitary gland depends on the body’s need for estrogen at a given moment in the cycle: if it is necessary to increase their content (in phase 1), production increases, if there is enough estrogen (in phase 2), then it weakens. With the onset of menopause, the level increases significantly and remains consistently high until the end of life.

The level of the hormone fluctuates not only at different periods of life or in the phases of the cycle, it changes several times even within one day. This substance is produced in the pituitary gland in separate portions for 15 minutes every 1-4 hours. At the moment of release, the hormone level jumps, and then it decreases again.

There are average levels of this substance in the blood that correspond to the normal functioning of the body. They are individual for each woman. The concentration of the substance is measured in International Units per 1 liter of blood (IU/L or mIU/ml).

FSH indicators at different periods of the cycle and life

Causes and symptoms of deviations from the norm

The cause of deviations is most often a malfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary system of the brain or ovarian diseases. Deviations can also be congenital.

Low level

A reduced level of FSH may indicate the following pathologies:

Hyperprolactinemia. The pituitary gland produces an excess amount of prolactin, which suppresses the production of the hormone.
Polycystic ovary syndrome - disruption of the ovaries leads to excess production of estrogens (hyperestrogenism), resulting in the development of ovarian cysts. A high concentration of estrogen leads to a decrease in the body's need for FSH production.
Obesity. Adipose tissue is capable of producing estrogens. In this case, the production of FSH is suppressed.
Pituitary gland diseases.

A decrease in FSH levels may also be caused by taking hormonal medications with a high estrogen content. The indicator decreases during pregnancy (it returns to normal only a few weeks after birth). Reduced levels occur in women who are malnourished or on a starvation diet. Stress contributes to his downfall.

Symptoms of insufficient hormone production include missed periods, lack of ovulation, infertility or miscarriages. If the cause of the decrease is hyperprolactinemia, then the woman experiences milk production in the mammary glands, which is not associated with postpartum lactation, cycle disorders, and infertility.

To increase hormone levels, it is necessary to normalize body weight and avoid taking estrogen-containing drugs. In some cases, progesterone-based drugs are prescribed (Duphaston, for example). First of all, diseases of the ovaries and pituitary gland are treated.

Note: If there are no obvious symptoms of illness, and the analysis showed questionable results, then it can be done again in a month. At the same time, for the analysis to be accurate, you must give up any diets, smoking, drinking alcohol, taking medications, or playing sports. You need to eat more seaweed and fish, as well as nuts and avocados, if you want to increase your level. A relaxing massage and bath with sage, jasmine and lavender the day before the test will also help.

High level

Excess FSH norms is a pathology in all cases except the onset of menopause. The reasons may be:

congenital underdevelopment of the ovaries, genetic disorders of the brain;
endometriosis, disease or removal of ovaries;
pituitary tumor;
diseases of the kidneys, thyroid gland;
increased testosterone levels.

The FSH norm in women can be exceeded as a result of exposure to x-rays on the body, taking certain medications (hormonal drugs, antidepressants, antidiabetic drugs and others). Smoking and alcoholism also contribute to the deviation of the FSH content in the blood from the normal value.

In children, this anomaly leads to premature onset of sexual development. Symptoms of the pathology in mature women are the absence of menstruation or ovulation, uterine bleeding, miscarriages or infertility. If the level of the FSH hormone is more than 40 mIU/ml, pregnancy is impossible.

To reduce the level of this hormone in the blood, hormone replacement therapy and stimulation of ovulation are often used.

Carrying out an analysis for FSH

An FSH test is prescribed in cases where it is necessary to detect the cause of amenorrhea or infertility, establish the phase of the menstrual cycle, or the presence of ovarian or pituitary dysfunction. Using this analysis, you can monitor the process of puberty (confirm its early or late onset). The analysis allows you to verify the effectiveness of treatment hormonal drugs. It is prescribed by a pediatrician, gynecologist or endocrinologist.

The analysis is prescribed for infertility, referral for IVF, establishing the causes of impaired growth and sexual development of girls, as well as for suspected tumor diseases of the endocrine system. In reproductive age, the procedure is performed on days 3-8 of the cycle.

The accuracy of the results can be affected by factors such as physical activity, stress, smoking, and alcohol intake. Therefore, a few days before the procedure, a woman should lead a calm lifestyle, get more rest, and stop taking certain medications. The analysis is carried out on an empty stomach.

Video: Carrying out hormone tests

The ratio of FSH and LH in the body

In order to find out how likely a woman is to become pregnant, the ratio of both of these substances is determined. They successively replace each other during the cycle, stimulating the course of its processes. The coefficient is determined by dividing the LH content by FSH.

Depending on the woman’s age, this indicator has different meanings. For women of reproductive age, the table shows the average normal value throughout the entire cycle.

FSH and LH ratio table

What do deviations mean?

Deviations from normal values during the reproductive period indicate the presence of diseases of the uterus and ovaries or malfunctions of the pituitary system. If the ratio is less than 0.5, this means that the maturation of follicles and eggs is disrupted, and pregnancy cannot occur. If the coefficient is greater than 2.5, one can assume the formation of polycystic ovary syndrome or depletion of the supply of eggs, as well as the presence of a pituitary tumor.