Hormone Analysis for Women: Tests, Importance & Results

It is simply not easy to be a woman.

You navigate many roles and responsibilities in this one life that God has given you. Nonetheless, these daily stressors and societal expectations can repeatedly make you feel like you are failing, which may lead to a destructive mindset.

As a woman, your body goes through many incredible changes throughout your life. Hormones influence various body functions, from influencing your mood, energy levels, fertility, and overall testing.

Today’s blog underlines the importance of hormone analysis for women, crucial for maintaining overall health. So, without the wait, let’s delve into the world of hormone testing for women, providing valuable insights that support women’s health and well-being.

Understanding Hormone Testing for Women

In simple words, hormones send chemical messages in the body, affecting physical development, reproduction, and mood. Hormones are present in people of any sex. The need for hormone testing for women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) arises as their hormones contribute significantly in puberty, fertility, menopause, and health conditions. 

12 Main Uses of Hormone Testing for Women

A healthcare provider may suggest hormone tests for women for a variety of purposes, including: 

1. Helps confirm pregnancy 
2. Monitor menopause
3. Detects fertility problems
4. Detect hormonal imbalances or abnormalities
5. Detect the cause of reproductive health issues
6. Rules out delayed development
7. Aids in diagnosing PCOS
8. Detect certain types of tumors
9. Monitors treatment for infertility or cancer
10. Helps in diagnosing medical conditions such as thyroid disease or diabetes. 
11. Helps monitor hormone levels in transgender women undergoing gender-affirming hormone treatment 
12. Screens for preoperative tests for women and and AFAB. 

What are the Symptoms for Hormonal Imbalance?

Hormones affect so many functions of the body. Hormonal imbalances can cause a wide range of symptoms: 

• Acne
• Anxiety
• Infertility
• Depression
• Decreased muscle mass
• Feeling thirsty more than usual
• Frequent urination
• Trouble sleeping
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
• Fatigue 
• Absent or irregular menstrual periods
• Abnormal hair growth
• Difficulty becoming or a hard time staying pregnant 

Hence, a doctor may suggest hormone testing to detect the actual cause of these symptoms. 

What is being tested in Hormone Analysis for Women?

Hormone blood tests for women can help you take control of your health. It looks at several key hormones: 

1. Estrogen: There are many types of estrogens. The most commonly tested are estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and Estriol (E3).

• Estrone: It is the primary, post-menopausal hormone. Estrone levels are typically after menopause. 
• Estradiol significantly contributes to the development of the female reproduction system. Females have higher amounts of E2 during their reproductive years and almost zero after menopause. 

• Estriol levels tend to increase throughout pregnancy to help keep the uterus and fetus healthy. Elevated levels prepare your body for labor and delivery. 

Need for Estrogen to Get Tested: 

A healthcare provider may suggest an estrogen test in the following conditions: ‘’

• Trouble-getting pregnant 
• Irregular periods
• Delayed puberty 
• Menopause symptoms
• Vaginal bleeding after menopause
• When males develop females breasts

What does the estrogen test results mean?

Your estrogen test results can show normal, high or low estrogen levels. Normal estrogen test results depend on your menstrual cycle and phase of life. 

Low estrogen levels may indicate: 

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Decreased pituitary gland function 
• Anorexia nervosa 
• Low body fat 

High estrogen levels may indicate: 

• Obesity
• Light or heavy menstrual bleeding 
• Worsened premenstrual syndrome
• Fatigue ‘
• Loss of sex drive 
• Medications such as antibiotics, tetracycline, and steroid hormone 

2. Progesterone helps regulate menstruation and fetal development. It is a critical stage because it thickens your uterine lining. 

Need for Progesterone Testing

Your healthcare provider may suggest testing for progesterone levels: 

• To check whether you have difficulty conceiving
• At a risk of miscarriage or pregnancy complications
• Ectopic pregnancy
• To confirm whether the signs of ovulation coming 

What do Progesterone Test Results Mean?

Low progesterone levels during pregnancy may indicate a risk of miscarriage or premature labor. On the other hand, high progesterone levels could signal health problems such as breast cancer. 

3. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): This hormone is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. It helps stimulate the growth of an egg in the ovaries and gets the eggs ready for fertilization. 

Need for FSH testing 

A doctor may recommend an FSH test because: 

To diagnose abnormal menstrual bleeding 

Helps detect Infertility 

Check the beginning of premenopause or menopause

AiPCOS and ovary function issues

To detect pituitary gland tumors 

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH):

FSH is produced by the pituitary gland and plays a key role in ovarian function and menstrual cycle regulation.

When is FSH Testing Needed?

• Irregular menstrual bleeding
• Infertility evaluation
• Detecting menopause onset
• Diagnosing PCOS and ovarian function issues
• Assessing pituitary gland function

What Do FSH Test Results Mean?

• High FSH Levels:
• Menopause
• Ovarian failure
• Chromosomal disorders
• Low FSH Levels:
• Pituitary gland disorders
• Stress or malnutrition

Testosterone/DHEA:

Although testosterone is typically associated with men, it is also present in women and affects muscle mass, mood, and energy levels.

When is Testosterone Testing Needed?

• Excessive hair growth (hirsutism)
• Severe acne
• Irregular or absent periods
• Low sex drive

What Do Testosterone Test Results Mean?

• High Levels:
• PCOS
• Adrenal gland disorders
• Low Levels:
• Ovarian failure
• Pituitary dysfunction

Thyroid Hormones:

Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, energy levels, and overall bodily functions.

When is Thyroid Testing Needed?

• Unexplained weight gain or loss
• Fatigue and depression
• Hair thinning or brittle nails
• Irregular periods

What Do Thyroid Test Results Mean?

• Low Thyroid Hormones:
• Hypothyroidism
• Autoimmune thyroid disorders
• High Thyroid Hormones:
• Hyperthyroidism
• Thyroid nodules or cancer

Luteinizing hormone: 

LH works alongside FSH to regulate the menstrual cycle and ovulation.

When is LH Testing Needed?

• Ovulation tracking for fertility treatment
• Diagnosing PCOS
• Evaluating menstrual irregularities

What Do LH Test Results Mean?

• High LH Levels:
• Menopause
• PCOS
• Ovarian failure
• Low LH Levels:
• Pituitary gland disorders
• Malnutrition or extreme stress

Conclusion

Hormone analysis is vital in detecting imbalances that impact women’s health at various life stages. From fertility concerns to thyroid disorders, timely hormone testing can provide crucial insights for better health management. If you experience persistent symptoms or suspect a hormonal imbalance, consult a healthcare provider for guidance.

Understanding your body is the first step toward empowering your health.