Follicle stimulating hormone, or FSH, is one of two gonadotropic hormones. This hormone, along with luteinizing hormone, or LH, is released from the pituitary gland into the bloodstream. Do you know what role your FSH levels play in your fertility?
These hormones are important for the function and development of male testicles and female ovaries. This hormone stimulates the development of the ovaries in girls before ovulation. It is also known to increase the production of estradiol. Follicle-stimulating hormone affects the Sertoli cells found during the test in men. It stimulates the production of sperm called spermatogenesis (spermatogenesis) is also known.
We all know how important the FSH hormone is when it comes to reproductive health. But can an imbalance in FSH levels cause fertility problems? Let’s take a look at how changes in FSH levels affect your body.
FSH level and fertility
If you are trying to conceive, your FSH level should be around 10 mlU/ml. This imbalance makes conception more difficult because it helps regulate your menstrual cycle and the ovulation process. FSH stimulates your ovaries.
Women who are in the pre-menopausal stage or approaching menopause have high levels of the hormone FSH, which helps them maintain a healthy ovarian reserve despite low levels of estrogen.
What does an elevated FSH level in your blood mean?
An elevated FSH level is often a sign of ovarian and testicular failure. When the gonads do not secrete enough estrogen and testosterone, FSH and LH levels rise. This condition is called hypergonadotropic-hypogonadism. Ovarian or testicular failure (ovarian function or testicular failure) is related to it.
If you have high levels of FSH in your body, this may mean;
You don’t provide useful eggs for fertilization. It usually occurs in old age. Fertility decreases with age because there are fewer eggs in the ovaries. This happens because:
you are approaching menopause
Ovarian deficiency or ovarian failure
chromosomal abnormality
What does low FSH mean in your blood?
Deficiency of follicle-stimulating hormone leads to decreased ovarian function and incomplete development in puberty. In this case, the ovarian follicles do not develop properly, which can lead to infertility. When the level of this hormone in the blood is low, it is called hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Adequate levels of FSH are necessary for full sperm production.
A lack of FSH causes infertility due to a lack of sperm, while a partial lack of the hormone causes delayed puberty (delayed puberty) in males.delayed puberty) and can lead to limited sperm production.
FSH level test
Now that you know how important the FSH hormone is in relation to fertility, you can also find out if you have the right amount of FSH in your blood. For this, your doctor may advise you to undergo an FSH level test, which is a simple blood test.
You should be tested at a certain time of your menstrual cycle, which is usually the third day of your period and continues until the fifth day of your period. This test helps the doctor identify and diagnose the underlying fertility problem.
If you are concerned about your FSH level, then you should go for an FSH level test. This will help you identify the fertility problem and find the best treatment. Unfortunately, women with high FSH levels respond to medication, and sometimes they don’t respond at all.
This makes it really difficult for them to conceive. In such cases, women are advised to resort to procedures like IVF for pregnancy. But if the patient is young, a small increase in FSH may help preserve the quality of some eggs.
Ask a specialist and seek help from a specialist to assess your ovarian reserve and discuss the best treatment for your condition.
