Written by Kayla Williams - February 10, 2023
The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates fertility and plays a role in menopause. The level of FSH in a woman’s body typically increases as she enters menopause, making it one of the key indicators for the onset of this stage of life.
FSH is a type of gonadotropin, which are hormones responsible for regulating reproductive activity in both males and females. In women, FSH stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles, which contain eggs that can potentially be fertilized. In addition to its role in fertility and reproduction, FSH also helps regulate levels of other hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen.
Menopause is the natural transition period during which a woman’s menstrual cycle begins to draw to an end. It marks the period of time when egg production ceases and menstruation becomes less frequent or stops altogether, typically occurring between the ages of 45-55 but can occur earlier or later depending on individual health circumstances. During this time, there are also many changes in hormone levels taking place throughout the body as well as shifts in physical, mental and emotional states that may occur due to decreased levels of estrogen production.
As women get older, their bodies gradually reduce their production of hormones needed for ovulation and menstruation. As this process begins to take place, the level of FSH will usually increase because more hormone stimulation from outside sources like FSH will be needed to keep up with declining internal supplies of reproductive hormones like estrogen. Therefore, when a woman has reached postmenopausal status— meaning 12 consecutive months have passed without any menstrual activity— her level of FSH should be much higher than what was seen during her premenopausal years. This increased level indicates that ovulation has stopped completely since it is no longer stimulated by lower amounts of endogenous hormones like estrogen.
Typically speaking, postmenopausal women will have between 25-200 mIU/mL (milli-international units per milliliter) readings on their blood tests for circulating FSH levels; however, some medical researchers report even higher readings being present after menopause has taken effect. Generally speaking though, anything above 20 mIU/mL is considered indicative for menopause having already set in since this value signals that ovarian function has been suspended completely due to lack of stimulation from any remaining internal sources like estrogen and progesterone.
In addition to testing serum levels for circulating FHS concentrations via blood tests performed in doctor’s offices or at home testing kits available online or at pharmacies, other tests may include measuring basal body temperature using an oral thermometer each morning upon awakening over several months; charting one’s menstrual cycles over multiple months; testing estradiol concentrations via urine sample test kits; assessing vaginal pH values through tampon insertion based self-tests done at home; transvaginal ultrasounds used by gynecologists to measure endometrial thicknesses among other factors; endrometrial biopsies done every three months until no abnormal cells appear further indicating completion/cessation/cessation cycle activity; and more recently developed hormone replacement therapy treatments offered through licensed clinics such as Hormone Treatment Center that can help alleviate hot flashes associated with menopause while also addressing deficiencies caused by cessation of reproductive hormones among many other benefits .
To conclude , it is important for postmenopausal women looking to understand their current medical status with regard to cessation cycles or hormonal fluctuations due age related issues should begin by getting tested first using standard mainstream methods such as serum blood tests measuring circulating levels off ollicle stimulating hormones (FHS). If elevated enough – typically above 20 miU/ml - then postmenopausal status may likely have set in , but if not then additional tests such as those mentioned here can help provide a clearer picture overall so that informed decisions can be made going forward regarding seeking additional medical advice from qualified healthcare professionals when necessary .