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Reproductive Hormones
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
• Progesterone and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
Many hormones work together to achieve a successful conception. These reproductive hormones cause the woman’s egg to grow and mature, and will ultimately result in a pregnancy. LH, FSH, progesterone, and hCG are the most important of these reproductive hormones.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
The pituitary gland produces both luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The concentration of LH in women’s blood surges prior to ovulation, signaling that ovulation is about to start. LH also helps to modulate the menstrual cycle. In men, the LH causes sperm production. A doctor will perform an LH test as part of a standard fertility work-up, to determine if the woman is ovulating. Ovulation prediction tests measure the level of Luteininzing Hormone (LH).
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
The Follicle Stimulating Hormone plays a large role in both male and female reproduction, and is produced by the pituitary gland. In men, the FSH causes sperm production. In women, the follicle stimulating hormone causes the follicles to produce mature eggs and manages the menstrual cycle.
If a woman has many eggs of good quality, the FSH level will be low because the reproductive system does not need to work hard to produce eggs. This demonstrates that a woman still has many viable eggs to be fertilized. A high FSH level shows that the hormone is in overdrive, trying to push the ovaries to make mature eggs. This scenario shows that the eggs may be declining in fertility quality.
FSH results can be obtained from either a blood or urine test. The female portion of the Fertell test measures Day 3 FSH level, which is the most accurate indicator of ovarian reserve.
Progesterone
The hormone progesterone is produced by both the ovaries and placenta. Progesterone helps ready the lining of the uterus to receive the egg. If a woman becomes pregnant, progesterone will continue to be released, starting near the end of the first trimester and until the baby is born. Doctors will draw a progesterone level as part of fertility testing. They will also conduct a progesterone test to determine the risk or reasons for miscarriage.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
Once the egg is fertilized and implants into the uterine wall, the placenta produces Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) to keep the pregnancy viable and help the fetus develop. At-home pregnancy tests identify hCG, which begins to be detected prior to the first missed menstrual period.
hCG reaches its peak right around the 14th week of pregnancy, then begins to decline. Multiple pregnancies yield higher hCG levels than single pregnancies.
