What does FSH and LH do?
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a chemical in your body that triggers important processes in your reproductive system. LH spurs ovulation and helps with the hormone production needed to support pregnancy. Your provider may order a test to check your LH levels if you have fertility issues or irregular menstruation. Show
OverviewWhat is luteinizing hormone?Luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulates processes in your body that are important for sexual health, development and reproduction. A tiny structure in your brain called the pituitary gland secretes LH. In turn, LH causes changes in your sex organs — your ovaries or testes — that allow your reproductive system to function correctly. FunctionWhat does luteinizing hormone do?Your pituitary gland secretes two important hormones that work together to regulate processes in your reproductive system: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These hormones are chemical messengers that signal your sex organs (ovaries or testes) to start processes needed to support your reproductive health. Think of LH as a chemical agitator that spurs your reproductive system to action. Your sex organs produce either steroids or hormones (progesterone, testosterone) in response to LH.
Luteinizing hormone in women or DFABLH stimulates changes in your ovaries that maintain your menstrual cycle and support pregnancy. LH causes these changes in people designated female at birth (DFAB), including cisgender women and some transgender men and nonbinary people with vaginas.
As you age and go through menopause, your LH levels will increase as your levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease. Luteinizing hormone in men or DMABLH stimulates your testes to make testosterone, a hormone your body needs to produce sperm. Testosterone is also responsible for secondary sex characteristics, like a deeper voice and more body hair and muscle mass. LH causes testosterone release in people designated male at birth (DMAB), including cisgender men and some transgender women and nonbinary people with penises. LH hormone levels remain fairly stable after puberty among DMAB people. Luteinizing hormone in infants and childrenDuring puberty, LH stimulates both ovaries and testes to make more testosterone. In the ovary, testosterone is then converted into estrogen. These hormones cause changes related to sexual development. AnatomyWhere is it located?LH gets made in the part of your body that’s responsible for regulating complex processes, your brain. But the organs that LH helps regulate are in your reproductive system. LH is part of a complex communication network that involves your brain (hypothalamus and pituitary gland) and your sex organs (ovaries and testes). Your hypothalamus secretes a hormone called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) that signals your pituitary gland to secrete LH. LH signals your ovaries or testes to make the hormones needed to start and maintain reproductive processes. Understanding this communication network is important when it comes to diagnosing reproductive health issues. For example, the root cause of fertility issues may involve your sex organs or hormone production in your brain. Your healthcare provider will consider multiple factors that play a role in your reproductive health when diagnosing conditions that involve LH. Conditions and DisordersWhat are the common conditions and disorders associated with luteinizing hormone?LH levels fluctuate, especially with your menstrual cycle. A high or low LH level isn’t simply good or bad. For instance, a surge in your LH can show that you’re about to ovulate. You’re most likely to become pregnant at this time. This information that LH provides about your fertility is helpful if you’re trying to have a baby. LH levels in your body can signal problems, too. Knowing your LH level at a particular moment in time can help your provider learn:
LH levels tests can also help your provider diagnose early or delayed puberty in children. What happens when luteinizing hormone levels are high?High LH levels can signify that your sex organs aren’t producing enough steroid hormones needed for a reproductive process to take place. This is typical of when the ovaries and testes have exhausted their ability to produce estrogen and testosterone, from genetic, autoimmune, surgical, or physiologic causes. Turner syndrome or Fragile X in DFAB people and Klinefelter syndrome in DMAB people are examples of genetic conditions associated with high LH levels. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects DFAB people that can cause mildly elevated LH levels. These are associated with irregular periods and infertility. What happens when luteinizing hormone levels are low?Low LH levels can signify that your pituitary gland isn’t making the LH needed to spur changes in your body that support sexual development or reproduction. Low LH levels can be a sign of:
Common tests to check luteinizing hormone levels?An LH level test checks how much LH is in your blood and involves a simple blood draw. Sometimes, your healthcare provider will recommend doing an LH level test alongside an FSH test since these hormones work together to regulate your reproductive system. What is a normal luteinizing hormone level?When you get your test results, remember that what’s considered normal depends on various factors, including your age, gender and medical history. For DFAB people, the timing of your menstrual cycle or whether you’ve gone through menopause will affect your LH levels. The numbers below provide a general snapshot of normal LH levels for cisgender men and women. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you.
CareWhat foods increase luteinizing hormone?A handful of studies have explored the relationship between vegetarian diets and low levels of LH and estrogen. Currently, no evidence shows that vegetarian diets reduce LH levels. Related, no evidence supports the thinking that food or diet can increase LH levels. Speak with your healthcare provider about diet and lifestyle recommendations to improve your overall health, including habits that support brain functioning and reproductive health. A note from Cleveland Clinic Your LH levels can reveal important information about how your sex organs and your pituitary gland are working. If your provider orders an LH test, ask them how the results will shed light on your reproductive health. Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/08/2022. References
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What is the function of LH?LH plays an important role in sexual development and functioning. In women, LH helps control the menstrual cycle. It also triggers the release of an egg from the ovary. This is known as ovulation.
What hormone does FSH and LH produce?In men, LH stimulates testosterone production from the interstitial cells of the testes (Leydig cells). FSH stimulates testicular growth and enhances the production of an androgen-binding protein by the Sertoli cells, which are a component of the testicular tubule necessary for sustaining the maturing sperm cell.
What is the function of a FSH?In women, FSH helps control the menstrual cycle and stimulates the growth of eggs in the ovaries. FSH levels in women change throughout the menstrual cycle, with the highest levels happening just before an egg is released by the ovary. This is known as ovulation. In men, FSH helps control the production of sperm.
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