Follicle Stimulating Hormone, or FSH is a hormone that plays a very important role in a woman’s life. In fact, as far as pregnancy and reproduction goes, FSH is probably the very most important hormone. Claim Your 20 Free Pregnancy Tests – Click Here
What does FSH actually do? Well the name pretty much says it all. Follicle stimulating hormone is responsible for stimulating the ovaries to produce a mature egg to be fertilized. Doctors measure FSH to determine the quality of a woman’s eggs and can help them figure out whether or not a woman has a good chance of having a successful pregnancy.
FSH is produced by the pituitary gland. It is located at the base of the brain, and when the eggs are mature, the follicle releases it so that it can then travel to the ovaries to be fertilized, and hopefully make a baby. If, for some reason, your body does not have a large supply of follicles, the pituitary gland tries to make up for it by producing more FSH in order to get the ovaries to do what they are supposed to do. When this happens, it leads to elevated FSH levels.
Now, for women who are already in menopause, elevated FSH levels are considered normal. This is because their supply of follicles and eggs have already been depleted, and the pituitary gland is trying to make up for it by producing more FSH. So, in menopausal women, FSH levels are expected to be elevated. But, however, they are not expected to be elevated in a woman who is under forty.
If you are under forty and have elevated FSH levels it may be a sign that your body has already run out of follicles. This can be a problem, since you have to have the follicles in order to get pregnant. If you also have a history of irregular menstrual periods, it could be a sign that your ovaries are not working properly.
While not many women who have elevated FSH levels are able to get pregnant naturally, it is not to say that it is impossible. Donor eggs are usually the best choice for women with high FSH levels. If you have elevated FSH levels and are looking into getting pregnant, talk with your doctor about what the best choice might be for you.
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