FSH: What Is This Hormone and How Does It Affect Fertility?
It’s time to talk about a hormone called FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and its big role in fertility.
And remember: our comprehensive women’s fertility at-home test kit measures your FSH as one of 7 key hormones included in our panel.
First things first though, what exactly is FSH? FSH is produced by a small gland in your brain called the pituitary gland, and its main job is to kickstart the process of ovulation in women and stimulate sperm production in men. In simpler terms, FSH plays a massive role in the development of eggs in women and the maturation of sperm in men.
Now, let's dive into how FSH affects fertility, especially in women. When your body decides it's time to ovulate, FSH stimulates the growth of follicles (small sacs in your ovaries) that contain your precious eggs. As the follicles mature, one lucky egg is released during ovulation.
But here's the thing: FSH levels need to be just right for the whole process to work smoothly. Too much or too little FSH can throw things off balance, potentially impacting fertility.
High levels of FSH could indicate that your ovaries are working overtime to produce eggs, which could be a sign of conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or diminished ovarian reserve. On the flip side, low levels of FSH might suggest issues with ovarian function or problems with the pituitary gland. So yes, your FSH level can help to evaluate menopause, PCOS, abnormal bleeding, and infertility.
Per the Cleveland Clinic, a study on day 3 FSH levels and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes showed that people with day 3 FSH levels lower than 15 (mIU/mL) had a better chance of becoming pregnant with an IVF attempt when compared to people with FSH levels between 15 (mIU/mL) and 24.9 mIU/ml.
Normal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels vary based on your age and sex organs. It’s also important to remember that normal ranges for FSH levels can vary from lab to lab. Here are some general “normal” FSH levels provided by the Cleveland Clinic.
Of Menstruating age: 4.7 to 21.5 mIU/mL
After menopause: 25.8 to 134.8 mIU/mL
FSH also plays a crucial role in male fertility by stimulating the production of sperm in the testes. Just like in women, imbalances in FSH levels can affect sperm production and fertility in men. So, it's important for both partners to keep an eye on their FSH levels when trying to conceive.
FSH may be a small hormone, but it plays a big role in the miracle of life. Keep those FSH levels in check, stay positive, and remember that the road to parenthood is different for everyone. The most important thing is to advocate for yourself and understand your body and your hormones.