Representatives of the fair sex throughout the entire life period have to take various tests, which are prescribed by a specialist to evaluate the body. One of the often recommended are hormonal studies. It is worth saying that it is recommended to take an analysis for a particular hormone only after the menstrual cycle is finally established.
Female sex hormones
Sex hormones are called due to the fact that their production has a great influence on the entire reproductive function. Important substances in this case are estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones. The norm in women of these substances is strictly established and changes only depending on the day of the menstrual cycle. Very often, such studies help to understand how well the reproductive system of the fair sex works.
This article will focus on a substance called luteinizing hormone. The norm for women will be known to you in the future. You will also find out what deviations may be.
Luteinizing hormone: normal in women
This substance is produced exclusively by the pituitary gland, which is located in the brain. LH is responsible for the reproductive function of the female body. Without it, ovulation simply would not have occurred. Let's try to understand in more detail.
Around the middle of the menstrual cycle, when a dominant follicle has already been determined , a large release of luteinizing hormone into the woman's blood occurs. Under its action, the follicular sac opens, and the egg enters the abdominal cavity . This substance is determined not only in the blood, but also in the woman’s urine. However, laboratory research is more accurate and informative. There are several normal values for luteinizing hormone. Its amount can vary greatly depending on what phase of the cycle the woman is in.
First phase
It is during this period that it is most preferable to take an analysis and examine the luteinizing hormone. The norm in women on the 5th day of the cycle is in the range from 3.3 to 4.66 mU / ml. Too much deviation indicates that something is going wrong in the body of the fair sex.
Ovulation period
Luteinizing hormone (the norm in women) at this time is at its maximum level. These days, the level of the substance ranges from 18.2 to 52.9 ppm / ml.
It is worth noting that at this time, ovulation tests are carried out, which also determine the level of luteinizing hormone. As mentioned above, its amount in urine will be slightly lower than in blood.
Second phase
Immediately after ovulation, luteinizing hormone can also be tested. The norm in women (med / ml) is in the range from 1.54 to 2.57.
However, it is worth noting that such studies are very rarely carried out at this stage. The only exceptions are those cases when a woman does not know on what day she began the menstrual cycle.
Menopause
During this period, the study is carried out in order to determine the presence of certain diseases in the body of the fair sex. How does luteinizing hormone behave at this stage? The norm in women (mIU / ml or honey / ml) is in the range from 29.7 to 43.9. It is worth noting that during the study during this period, a simultaneous analysis is carried out to determine the amount of estradiol.
Possible deviations
What does it mean if a greater or lesser value is obtained that has a luteinizing hormone (norm)? In women, on the 2nd day of the cycle, indicators may be erroneous due to the fact that the hormonal background has not yet changed . That is why it is recommended to take this analysis for 4-5 days of menstruation. What problems can indicate a strong decrease or increase in the level of the test substance?
The increase in the level of the analyte
Hormonal diseases
If the luteinizing hormone is elevated, then this may be a sign of diseases such as endometriosis, polycystic or ovarian exhaustion. All these ailments have additional symptoms, the main of which is infertility.
Treatment should be selected individually and only after additional studies.
Benign or malignant tumors
A high level of LH may indicate that a woman has health problems that are not related to hormone production. So, it can be an adrenal gland tumor or a pituitary gland disease. In this case, the nature of neoplasms can be different.
External factors affecting the amount of LH
If luteinizing hormone (norm) is strongly overestimated in women on the 4th day of the cycle and later, then this may indicate that the representative of the weaker sex does not lead a completely correct lifestyle. Often, such indicators occur with exhausting long workouts, malnutrition, starvation and stress.
Luteinizing hormone lowering
Pregnancy
The first thing that doctors think about, getting such a result, is pregnancy. During this period, the hormone can greatly decrease. It is worth noting that such a restructuring of the female body is normal and does not require any treatment.
Lack of menstruation
If the level of the test substance is much lower than normal, then this may be a consequence of amenorrhea. At the same time, the woman has had no menstrual bleeding for several months, but there is no pregnancy.
In this case, individual hormonal treatment is selected.
External factors affecting the level of LH
Also, external factors can influence the level of luteinizing hormone. It can decrease due to malnutrition, which leads to overweight. Also, with bad habits (smoking, drug addiction or alcoholism), a low result figure can be obtained.
Surgery (operations)
If various operations have been performed in which part of the ovary is removed, the amount of LH may be below normal. Moreover, no treatment will bring success. However, for the onset of pregnancy, a temporary correction with hormonal drugs can be carried out.
Most often, after such operations, luteal phase insufficiency is observed. At the same time, additional symptoms of such an ailment may join.
Summary and brief conclusion
If you have a deviation from the norm that indicates a high or low level of luteinizing hormone, then it is worth repeating the study. Most often, with this result, an analysis is prescribed that is performed after ovulation (in the second phase of the cycle).
The results should be carefully studied before starting any treatment. In most cases, an analysis to determine the level of LH is carried out in conjunction with the study of follicle-stimulating hormone. At the same time, the ratio of the two results can clarify the situation and help the doctor make the correct diagnosis.
Take tests for female hormones and always monitor the reproductive system. Only in this case, you can always start treatment at the initial stages of the disease.