Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

“One elevated FSH level is not enough to confirm menopause. More importantly, a low FSH level in a woman who is having hot flashes and changing periods…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Definition

What is follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)?

DotS the definition of FSH may vary. The (United States) Endocrine Society’s definition is:

“Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)—In women, FSH helps control the menstrual cycle and the production of eggs by the ovaries. The amount of FSH varies throughout a woman’s menstrual cycle and is highest just before she ovulates. Problems with FSH release can contribute to female infertility. In men, FSH helps control the production of sperm”.2

The North American Menopause Society’s (NAMS) definition is:

“Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). A hormone produced by the pituitary gland (located at the base of the brain). In women, FSH stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles (the small cysts that hold the eggs) and the supporting cells responsible for the growth and nurturing of the egg. FSH also stimulates production of estrogen by the ovaries. When estrogen production is low (after menopause), FSH levels will be high”.3

FSH Blood Test

What is a FSH blood test?

In Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Blood Test the (United States) MedlinePlus explain:

“The follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) blood test measures the level of FSH in blood. FSH is a hormone released by the pituitary gland, located on the underside of the brain”.4

Menopause

What may it be important to note about menopause and FSH blood levels?

In How Do I Know I’m In Menopause: What About Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Testing? the NAMS explain:

“Sometimes, elevated follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels are measured to confirm menopause. When a woman’s FSH blood level is consistently elevated to 30 mIU/mL or higher, and she has not had a menstrual period for a year, it is generally accepted that she has reached menopause”.5

The NAMS also note:

“However, a single FSH level can be misleading in perimenopause since estrogen production does not fall at a steady rate from day to day. Instead, both estrogen and FSH levels can vary greatly during perimenopause. One elevated FSH level is not enough to confirm menopause. More importantly, a low FSH level in a woman who is having hot flashes and changing periods does not eliminate the likelihood that she is still in perimenopause. Also, if a woman is using certain hormone therapies (such as birth control pills), an FSH test is not valid”.6 

Over-the-Counter Tests

What do the NAMS explain about over-the-counter urine tests for menopause that measure FSH?

The NAMS explain:

“Over-the-counter urine tests for menopause that measure FSH are often advertised, but are expensive and not informative, for the same reasons discussed above”.7

Health Care Provider

What if I would like to find out more about FSH?

If you would like to find out more about FSH, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to FSH?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to FSH?

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Links

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  1. Diagnosing Menopause
  2. Follicle Stimulating Hormone
  3. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Blood Test
  4. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Levels Test
  5. How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose Menopause?
  6. How Do I Know I’m In Menopause? What About Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Testing?
  7. Information About Menopause [Multiply Languages] [Videos]
  8. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  9. Menopause FAQs: Expert Answers To Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause
  10. Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms
  11. Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  12. Menopause [Home-Use Test Kit To Measure Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)]
  13. Menopause – What Are the Symptoms? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  14. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Diagnosing Menopause [NICE Guideline]
  15. Menopause: Diagnosis and Treatment – Diagnosis
  16. Your Contraception Guide: How Do I Know I’ve Reached Menopause If I’m on the Pill?

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. How Do I Know I’m In Menopause? What About Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Testing? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/how-do-i-know-i’m-in-menopause- Accessed: 20 December 2020
  2. Glossary. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/glossary Accessed: 20 December 2020
  3. Menopause Glossary: F – Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH). North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-glossary#F Accessed: 20 December 2020
  4. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Blood Test. Review Date: 30 June 2019. Page Last Updated: 16 September 2020. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003710.htm Accessed: 20 December 2020
  5. How Do I Know I’m In Menopause? What About Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Testing? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/how-do-i-know-i’m-in-menopause-Accessed: 20 December 2020
  6. How Do I Know I’m In Menopause? What About Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Testing? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/how-do-i-know-i’m-in-menopause- Accessed: 20 December 2020
  7. How Do I Know I’m In Menopause? What About Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Testing? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/how-do-i-know-i’m-in-menopause- Accessed: 20 December 2020

Topic Last Updated: 20 December 2020 – Topic Last Reviewed: 20 December 2020
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