Hormone testing is completed as a blood test and provides a snapshot of your unique reproductive health.
Some of the reproductive hormones involved in your menstrual cycle include:
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is made in the pituitary, and stimulates follicle and egg development in the ovary.
Estradiol is the most common type of estrogen and is tested to see how your ovaries are responding to medication. Estradiol acts at many areas in your body and helps prepare the uterine lining to receive the embryo (along with progesterone).
Luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulates ovulation, which is the release of the egg from the follicles.
Progesterone is the hormone that prepares the uterus and uterine lining to support a pregnancy.
Androgens are typically thought of as male hormones, but they play a role in women as well. In women, androgens are needed in order to produce estrogen, however, excess production can cause problems with ovulation.
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is a measure of thyroid function. When the thyroid is not working well, women can stop ovulating and also suffer miscarriage.
Prolactin is commonly known as the hormone that produces breast milk and is important to pregnancy. A high level, however, can interfere with ovulation.