Luteinizing hormone (LH) is one of the sex hormones that produces the pituitary gland. When testing for the level of luteinizing hormone, patients often have a question - why does he respond?
Luteinizing hormone promotes the harmonious work of the gonads, and also affects the production of progesterone in women and testosterone in men.
In addition, luteinizing hormone also performs such functions in the female body as the formation and development of the follicle, the yellow body. In addition, luteinizing hormone stimulates ovulation. What, ultimately, makes it one of the important components of a successful pregnancy.
Assign a study to the level of LH with infertility, impaired ovarian function, problems of the menstrual cycle, decreased libido, etc.
When giving an analysis for determining the level of LH by women of reproductive age, it is important to take into account the days of the menstrual cycle. The most informative are the indications given in the period from 3 to 8 or from 19 to 21 days of the cycle.
The norm of luteinizing hormone in women
Different indicators are applicable for each phase of the menstrual cycle.
For the follicular phase, which lasts from 1 to 14 days, the norm is 2-14 mU / l.
In the period of ovulation, which occurs on the 12-16th day of the menstrual cycle, the indices are maximal and range from 24-150 mU / l.
The luteal phase (16-27 day cycle) is characterized by low indices - 2-17 mU / l.
With the onset of menopause, the norm is 14.2-52.3 mU / l.
In what cases is luteinizing hormone in women elevated?
As a rule, a high level of LH indicates the approach or onset of ovulation. But it can also be an alarming sign of diseases such as malnutrition and polycystic ovary, endometriosis, renal insufficiency .
Luteinizing hormone can be increased in women in case of excessive physical exertion, starvation, stress.
Why can luteinizing hormone in women be lowered?
Low level of LH accompanies pregnancy. It can also signal a violation of the pituitary gland. To reduce the level of luteinizing hormone in women can lead to obesity, smoking, amenorrhea, medication, etc.
Luteinizing hormone is an important component of human reproductive health. In the body of a woman, his main task is to support the proper functioning of the ovaries and uterus. In addition, luteinizing hormone directly affects the planning of pregnancy.