FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) is one of the most important sex hormones, the main purpose of which is to regulate the production of other sex hormones, as well as stimulate the development of the follicle in the female ovaries, which makes pregnancy possible.
High FSG - what to do?
It is important to know that FSH is produced in the pituitary gland and is present in both the female and the male body. Science has developed certain levels of FSH, considered normal. Any departure from them is considered a signal for the examination and the purpose of the treatment.
If FSH is elevated, then additional tests and tests should be performed to either identify the cause or detect problems caused by such an increase. In any case, the high FSH should be alerted, since it is fraught with serious health problems and, most importantly, with a violation of the function associated with childbearing.
The hormone of FSH is elevated in women
When FSH increases in women, the first thing a doctor can suspect is a pituitary tumor. Also often such an increase can be associated with endometrial cysts, insufficiency of ovarian functions. Alcoholism of a woman and exposure to X-rays are common causes of increased FSH in women.
The hormone FSG is elevated in women in menopause. This is considered the norm. In all other cases of FSH increase, it is necessary to conduct a survey and identify the cause.
If an increased FSH is found in women , the symptoms may be as follows:
- impossibility to become pregnant or endure a child;
- absence of ovulation;
- absence of menstruation;
- dysfunctional (ie, not associated with monthly) uterine bleeding;
- premature puberty, or, conversely, a delay in sexual development;
- growth retardation;
- polycystic ovary ;
- endometriosis.
Reducing libido in women and men or reducing the potency in men is also considered a manifestation of an elevated FSH level.
FSH is elevated in men
In men, the follicle-stimulating hormone rises when the male sex gland is disrupted (very often with testicular inflammation), as well as with increased levels of male sex hormones. Other reasons for increasing FSH in men are:
- renal insufficiency;
- tumors of the pituitary gland;
- exposure to X-rays;
- alcohol abuse;
- taking certain medications.
High FSH causes
As already described above, if FSH is elevated, the reasons can be varied. Consider the common causes for men and women that cause an increase in FSH:
- benign or malignant tumor in the pituitary gland;
- exposure to X-rays;
- kidney failure;
- drinking alcohol;
- taking certain medicines.
If the FSH hormone is elevated, it is necessary to go through all the tests prescribed by the doctor to identify the cause of this phenomenon and to prescribe the correct treatment. As a rule, doctors take into account the ratio of FSH and LH, which should normally be 2 to 1. The level of such hormones as testosterone, prolactin, progesterone and estradiol is also checked.
The hormone FSG is increased - how to treat?
If the FSH hormone is elevated, how to lower it, it is necessary to find out from a specialist doctor. If FSH is higher than normal, then, as a rule, hormone replacement therapy is used. In some cases, not the excessive production of the hormone by the pituitary gland is treated, but the cause that causes it. In the case of X-ray irradiation, as a rule, after 6-12 months the FSH level returns to normal.