Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

“It is important to explain to women that the
blood tests of FSH/oestradiol can fluctuate on a daily basis
and therefore are not useful or necessary”.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:

“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 Menopause Society’s (formerly the North American Menopause Society) definition is:

“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”.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

Tests or Not

Are tests most often needed to diagnose menopause?

In Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Diagnosis the (United States) Mayo Clinic note:

“Tests most often aren’t needed to diagnose menopause. But sometimes, your healthcare professional may suggest blood tests to check your levels of:

  • Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen (estradiol). FSH goes up and estrogen goes down during menopause. Because hormones go up and down during perimenopause, it can be hard to tell from these tests whether you’re in menopause
  • Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Overactive thyroid, called hyperthyroidism, can cause symptoms like those of menopause”.5

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)Menopause

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

In Diagnosing Menopause: Symptom Assessment and Diagnosis At Perimenopause and Menopause the Australasian Menopause Society explain:

“It is important to explain to women that the blood tests of FSH/oestradiol can fluctuate on a daily basis and therefore are not useful or necessary. It is especially unhelpful to do hormone blood tests while women are on MHT/OCP – symptoms, not blood levels, guide therapy”.6

What is a MHT?

MHT can be an abbreviation for Menopause Hormone Therapy.

What is a OCP?

MHT can be an abbreviation for the Oral Contraceptive Pill.

Over-the-Counter Tests

Can over-the-counter home tests really tell you whether or not you’re definitely in a stage of menopause?

In Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Diagnosis the Mayo Clinic note:

“You can get home tests to check FSH levels in your urine without a prescription. The tests show whether you have higher FSH levels. This might mean that you’re in perimenopause or menopause.

But FSH levels rise and fall during your menstrual cycle. So home FSH tests can’t really tell you whether you’re in menopause”.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 A-Z related to Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. ACOG Explains: Managing Menopause Symptoms [American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists]
  2. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  3. At-Home Menopause Tests: Pros and Cons, What They Test and When To See A Provider
  4. CAMS Menopause Hour: Perimenopause – A Clinical Challenge [Council of Affiliated Menopause Societies]
  5. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Premature and Early Menopause
  6. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
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  19. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
  20. How Do FSH Levels Test Menopause and Fertility?
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  22. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Menopause
  23. How To Understand Your Lab Results
  24. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Myths] [Other Languages and Formats]
  25. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  26. Mayo Clinic Minute: Perimenopause and Menopause [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
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  42. Menopause [Home-Use Test Kit To Measure Follicle Stimulating Hormone In Your Urine (FSH)]
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  45. Menopause: Identification and Management NICE Guideline Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024]
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  46. Menopause: Identification and Management: NICE Guideline [NG23] [07 November 2024]
  47. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  48. Menstrual Calendar
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  50. Menstrual Calendar: Calendrier Menstruel [French]
  51. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  52. Navigating Menopause: Honest Answers To All Your Questions [+ Video: What To Expect in Menopause]
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  64. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – New Hormonal Tests To Diagnose or Even Predict the Menopause?
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  74. Why Is FSH Not Needed for Diagnosis of Menopause [Video]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Diagnosing Menopause: Symptom Assessment and Diagnosis At Perimenopause and Menopause. Content Created May 2022. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/gp-hp-resources/diagnosing-menopause Accessed: 08 April 2025
  2. Glossary. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/glossary Accessed: 08 April 2025
  3. Menopause Definitions: F – Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH). Menopause Society https://menopause.org/patient-education/menopause-glossary#F Accessed: 08 April 2025
  4. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Blood Test. Review Date: 23 August 2023. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003710.htm Accessed: 08 April 2025
  5. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Diagnosis. 07 August 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401 Accessed: 08 April 2025
  6. Diagnosing Menopause: Symptom Assessment and Diagnosis At Perimenopause and Menopause. Content Created May 2022. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/gp-hp-resources/diagnosing-menopause Accessed: 08 April 2025
  7. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Diagnosis. 07 August 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401 Accessed: 08 April 2025
Topic Last Updated: 08 April 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 08 April 2025

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