All women should have a hormonal analysis done from time to time to see how our reproductive system is working. A disorder in hormone levels can be an indicator that something is not working properly in our body.
These hormone levels vary throughout our menstrual cycle, so it is necessary to do several tests throughout the cycle and compare results.
Hormones analyzed during the menstrual cycle
The hormones that are analyzed are the following:
- Luteinizing hormone (LH): Responsible for ovulation. A high level of luteinizing hormone together with follicle stimulating hormone may be responsible for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
- Prolactin: Disorders such as irregular menstruation, PCOS, fertility problems among others, may be related to the levels of prolactin that we have, so an analysis will help us to verify it.
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): Responsible for development at puberty and reproductive processes. In the case of the woman, she is in charge of maturing the ovules.
- Estradiol: A form of estrogen responsible for the growth of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and vagina.
- Testosterone: It is a type of male hormone. A high rate of this hormone would be indicating that we are very possibly facing a case of Polycystic Ovary.
- Progesterone: Hormone involved in the menstrual cycle. It is essential to measure it a week after the ovulatory phase to rule out a possible deficiency of the corpus luteum.
- Anti-Mullerian: Indicates the approximate amount of ovules available in the woman. This analysis is not normally done unless we are having problems getting pregnant.
