Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) blood test

A blood sample is needed .

If you are a woman of childbearing age, your health care provider may want you to have the test done on certain days of your menstrual cycle.

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.

In women, FSH helps manage the menstrual cycle and stimulates the ovaries to produce eggs. The test is used to help diagnose or evaluate: Menopause Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome , ovarian cysts Abnormal vaginal or menstrual bleeding Problems becoming pregnant, or infertility In men, FSH stimulates…

Normal FSH levels will differ, depending on a person's age and sex. Male: Before puberty: 0 to 5.0 mIU/mL (0 to 5.0 IU/L) During puberty: 0.3 to 10.0 mIU/mL (0.3 to 10.0 IU/L) Adult: 1.5 to 12.4 mIU/mL (1.5 to 12.4 IU/L) Female: Before puberty: 0 to 4.0 mIU/mL (0 to 4.0 IU/L) During puberty: 0.3 to 10.0 mIU/mL (0.3 to…

High FSH levels in women may be present: During or after menopause, including premature menopause When receiving hormone therapy Due to certain types of tumor in the pituitary gland Due to Turner syndrome Low FSH levels in women may be present due to: Being very underweight or having had recent rapid weight loss Not…

There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others. Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include: Excessive…

Garibaldi LR, Chemaitilly W. Disorders of pubertal development. In: Kliegman RM, St Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 578. Jeelani R, Bluth MH. Reproductive function and pregnancy. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds.…