Very often, a woman examines her body for hormones, for example, if she is preparing to become a mother. In addition, such an examination is necessary in the case of infertility treatment, as well as other unpleasant diseases. Some people are forced to do similar tests if they have cosmetic problems: sagging skin, early wrinkles, baldness. During such procedures, experts often examine the hormone FSH. What he is responsible for will be described later in our article. However, you should pay attention to the fact that this hormone is very important for health. Before you pass an analysis on this element, you should prepare for the procedure. In more detail you can study these issues in the article, as well as find the answer to what the FSH hormone is responsible for.
General definition
By the abbreviation FSH is meant follicle-stimulating hormone. Often it is also called follitropin. Before you figure out what the FSH hormone is responsible for, it must be noted that it is responsible for the sexual maturation of each person, as well as his ability to reproduce. If we consider specifically the representatives of the weaker sex, then he is responsible for the development of the follicle, which in turn is responsible for the maturation of the egg and the formation of estrogens, which are also female hormones.
And what is the FSH hormone responsible for in men? In this case, it helps the body to create sperm.
Norm
We continue to consider what the FSH hormone in women and men is responsible for, what are its normal indicators. Determining the amount of this hormone is an important point in identifying problems with the reproductive system. Deciphering the tests is a certain difficulty, since the indicator of the concentration of hormones in the blood constantly jumps. Please note that the amount of FSH is affected by the time of day, as well as the emotional state of the patient. In addition, in the fairer sex, the day of the menstrual cycle can cause a deviation from the norm of FSH hormones.
What this hormone is responsible for, we figured out. Now it is worth studying the norm of this substance in more detail. As for children, here the hormone indicators will be relative. The amount of follitropin in the blood after birth in children immediately increases. After that, the figure drops sharply. For example, boys at the age of six months will see very different figures than after their birth. As for girls, here the indicators change dramatically at the age of 2 years.
Then the amount of follitropin again increases before puberty in adolescents. In addition, the hormone is not released continuously, but only by individual esters, that is, once every few hours. At this time, its maximum concentration is observed, which can be seen during the interpretation of the analyzes.
Considering the norm of FSH hormones by age, what it is, you should also pay attention to the fact that the value of the analysis may vary in different laboratories. The specific significance will depend on technology, methods and reagents. You should pay attention to the standards that are indicated in the form with the results of the analysis.
Below you can find a table of FSH norms by age for women and men. However, if your data is slightly different, then do not panic. In any case, conclusions about the state of health are made only by a qualified doctor.
Table
What FSH hormone in women and men is responsible for, we examined in the previous sections. And now it’s worth considering the table of the norm of this indicator in the blood.
| Floor | Reference values (norm), honey / ml | Cycle phase (for women) |
| Adult men | 0.96-13.58 | |
| Women | 2.45-9.47 | Follicular (proliferative) day 1-14 |
| 3.0-21.5 | Ovulatory phase 14-15th day | |
| 1.0-7.0 | Luteal / secretory phase from the 15th day before the onset of menstruation | |
| 25.8-134.8 | Premenopause | |
| 9.3-100.6 | Postmenopause | |
| Girls aged 6 to 12 years | 4,5 | |
| Girls 1-5 years old | 0.6-6.2 | |
| Girls up to a year | 1.8-20.3 | |
| Boys 7-10 years old | 0.37-3.83 | |
| Boys 3-5 years old | less than 1.5 | |
| Boys under 3 years old | <3.5 mU / ml |
Among women
The volume of the so-called hormone boiling inside the female body will depend on age, the onset of menopause, and also the day of the menstrual cycle. During the follicular phase, the norm is from 2.45 to 9.47 mU / ml. During ovulation, this indicator is from 3 to 20 1.5. In the interval between menstruation and ovulation, which is called the luteal phase of the cycle, the indicators are from 1 to 7. Premenopause, which is a transition period, is characterized by indicators from 25.8 to 134.8. During menopause or postmenopause, the hormone norm in women is from 9.3 to 100.6.
In men
As for the male body, we have already figured out what FSH hormone affects, that is, it contributes to the development of seminiferous tubules. It is in them that sperm maturation occurs. This hormone enhances spermatogenesis, and also helps to expel testosterone to the epididymis, due to which the proper maturation of gametes occurs. The amount of this hormone after the birth of a baby rises briefly, and after six months the number drops sharply. After this, before puberty, the level of hormones rises again. For healthy adult men, the FSH norm is from 0.96 to 13.58.
The ratio of FSH and LH
Many do not know not only what the FSH hormone is, but also what the LH hormone is. The second abbreviation refers to luteinizing hormone. These substances always work in combination, providing the human body with the ability to continue the genus. That is why data on the amount of only one hormone, without assessing the indicator of luteotropin, is pointless to consider. In the period from the 3rd to the 7th day of the menstrual cycle, the concentration of FSH in the body is less than LH by about 2 times. During the first 2 days, the ratio of luteotropin to FSH will be less than one, which provides the woman with follicular maturation. In tandem, both hormones function, like the rest of the sex hormones, such as prolactin and progesterone.
High FSH
If FSH is elevated, what does it mean? Raising the norm is always a serious signal for medical personnel about health problems in a patient. It must be remembered that the concentration of FSH in the body can also increase naturally. Normally, this will be observed during menopause. Along with a progressive increase in hormone levels, other symptoms are also observed, for example, the follicular apparatus of the ovaries is drastically depleted, estradiol decreases. This can several times reduce the likelihood of a woman to conceive, as well as the success of making the baby healthy.
Cause
What is the reason for the deviation of FSH in women? As a rule, this indicator increases in the presence of a pituitary tumor, pathological effects of x-rays, alcoholism, poor functioning of the ovaries and cysts.
As for men, the FSH indicator increases to the greatest extent in the case of an inflammatory process that develops in the testes. Also, this symptom indicates an increased level of androgens, which are male sex hormones. Pituitary tumors, alcohol abuse, renal failure, as well as taking certain chemicals can trigger an increase in FSH.
How to reduce
To reduce the level of pathologically high FSH is necessary only after the specialist identifies the main cause of such changes. For example, during x-ray radiation, the amount of the hormone can independently return to normal after 6-12 months. As for other cases, the work of specialists is directed to adequate treatment of the primary disease, as a result of which the amount of hormones begins to decrease automatically.
Low FSH
Very often people who are inattentive to their own health do not even suspect the problems that they have against the hormonal background. As a result, deviations are most often detected in a laboratory study, which is prescribed for some other reason. FSH levels may be less than normal in the following situations:
- With a decrease in body hair growth.
- In case of decreased sexual desire.
- In case of early appearance of wrinkles.
- With atrophy of the genital organs.
- With impotence and infertility.
- When slowing puberty in children.
Possible reasons
FSH levels can be reduced for the following reasons:
- Obesity.
- Hypogonadism, which is a consequence of a complex of different syndromes that lower the activity of the sex glands in humans.
- Tumors of the pituitary, testes or ovaries.
- Increased activity or deficiency of 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone in the human body into an active form called dihydrotestosterone androgen.
- Hypopituitarism, which is associated with the process of reducing the activity of the pituitary gland, which is the main link in the production of FSH. It can be caused by trauma, surgery, tumor.
- Kalman's syndrome, which is a rather rare hereditary disease, during which a person is completely lacking puberty, and his sense of smell is also lost.
- Damage to the ovaries by cysts and neoplasms in women, mental disorders, disruption of the hypothalamus, prolonged starvation, anorexia.
- Sheehan's syndrome, which is the death of some pituitary cells that occurs after severe blood loss during abortion or childbirth.
- Pituitary insufficiency in men, as well as age-related androgen deficiency.
How to increase
To increase the level of follitropin in the body, experts prescribe a diet that includes sea and dark green vegetables, ginseng, as well as products containing a large amount of fatty natural acids. In addition, it is imperative to normalize body weight by changing your lifestyle through sports. Often patients are prescribed a massage of the lower abdomen, as well as the thumb.
Oddly enough, to increase FSH levels, you need to reduce stress. When overstressed (both mental and physical), the human body releases hormones that inhibit the production of follitropin.
Thus, it is necessary to eat right, fully sleep, take hot baths, do yoga, sports, and visit a good psychotherapist. All these recommendations are extremely important, but, as a rule, this is far from the only therapy. The main treatment should be prescribed by a specialist. It will depend on the results of all studies performed, as well as on the diagnosis. With an existing tumor or cyst, the patient requires surgical intervention, and if there are problems with female hormones, progesterone and estrogen, hormone replacement therapy will be required.
How and when to take tests
We studied in detail what FSH is, the norm of hormones in the blood in women and men. But how and when is it necessary to donate blood for analysis? How to prepare for this procedure? What day should I go to a specialist? Is there a need to refrain from sexual intimacy? Patients in this case have many questions.
First of all, you need to prepare for your doctor a list of medicines that you are taking. At the same time, there should be included not only hormonal, but also other drugs.
It is necessary to wait for 4-7 days of the menstrual cycle, while men do not need to wait anything, in addition to the hours of work of a particular laboratory.
Donate blood for analysis must be hungry. For three days, you should also abandon the section of active sports. One and a half hours before donating blood you should not smoke if you have this addiction.
A quarter of an hour before going to a specialist, you need to calm down, try to relax.
Little conclusion
Based on the foregoing, it can be concluded that the norm of FSH hormone in women and men will depend on various factors. However, if you have any deviations, do not panic about this. In this case, the specialist must identify the root cause of this behavior of the body. Only after this, appropriate treatment is prescribed if necessary, in addition to which a diet is indicated. For prevention, you need to periodically donate your blood for analysis to detect FSH.