What are the six female sex hormones?

Generally, six sex hormone tests are performed. The clinical performance of the six sex hormone tests is to understand women's endocrine function and diagnose diseases related to endocrine imbalance by measuring estrogen levels. But many women don't have a good grasp of the actual projects. So, what do the six items of female sex hormones refer to?

1. Progesterone test. Progesterone is metabolized in a single pulse and it is best to collect samples 3-4 times within 1 hour. Progesterone and follicle-stimulating hormone are responsible for promoting uterine development and ovulation. If the reference value is too high, it may cause amenorrhea or infertility.

Standard value: The blood LH concentration is 2-15mIU/ml in the early ovulation period, 30-100mIU/ml in the ovulation period, and 4-10MIU/ml in the middle and late ovulation period. The standard value during the non-ovulation period is generally 5 to 25 mIU/ml. Less than 5mIU/ml indicates insufficient gonadotropin effect, which is common in Sheehan syndrome. If high FSH and LH are increased, ovarian failure is very certain and no further tests are needed. LH/FSH ≥ 3 is one of the bases for diagnosing polycystic ovary syndrome.

2. Follicle-stimulating hormone test. The estrogen level of uterine ovarian tumors or pregnancy should be too high. If it is slightly low, it may be caused by other reasons such as incomplete development of sex hormones.

Standard value: The blood FSH concentration is 1.5-10 MIU/ml in the early ovulation period, 8-20 MIU/ml in the ovulation period, and 2-10 MIU/ml in the middle and late ovulation period. Generally, 5 to 40 MIU/ml is used as the standard value. Low FSH values ​​are common during estrogen-progestin treatment, Sheehan's syndrome, etc. High FSH is common in premature ovarian failure, uterine and ovarian insensitivity syndrome, primary amenorrhea, etc. If FSH is higher than 40MIU/ml, ovulation-inducing drugs such as clomiphene will be ineffective.

3. Prolactin test. It is metabolized by the lactation-secreting trophoblast of one of the eosinophilic cells in the anterior pituitary gland. It is a protein growth hormone that has the effect of promoting mammary gland proliferation and the conversion and discharge of milk. If prolactin is too high, pituitary tumors or thyroid hormones are mainly not high.

Standard value: During the non-breastfeeding period, the standard value of blood PRL is 0.08～0.92nmol/L. Higher than 1.0nmol/L is hyperprolactinuria. Excessive prolactin can inhibit the metabolism of FSH and LH, suppress the ovaries, and suppress the ovulation period.

4. Check the progesterone level. Metabolized by progesterone in the uterus and ovaries. The key function is to promote the change of the uterine wall from the reproductive phase to the metabolic phase. The blood P concentration is 0-4.8mnol/L in the early ovulation period and 7.6-97.6nmol/L in the middle and late ovulation period. Low blood P values ​​in the middle and late ovulation period are common in luteal insufficiency and ovulatory uterine imbalance bleeding.

Standard value: The blood P concentration should be 0-4.8nmol/L before ovulation and 7.6-97.6nmol/L in the middle and late ovulation period. Low blood P values ​​are easily consumed in the middle and late ovulation period, which is commonly seen in luteal insufficiency, abnormal uterine bleeding due to ovulation-type imbalance, etc.

5. Estradiol test. The cells are secreted from the eggs of the uterus and ovaries and separated from the venous blood for examination, each requiring 2 ml. The function is to make the endometrial glands develop into the reproductive stage and promote the development of women's secondary sexual characteristics. A slightly lower value will result in low ovarian height, ovarian aging, and Sheehan syndrome.

Standard value: The concentration of blood E2 is 48-521 picomoles/L in the early ovulation period, 70-1835 picomoles/L in the ovulation period, and 272-793 picomoles/L in the middle and late ovulation period. Low values ​​are common in low ovarian function, ovarian aging, and Sheehan's syndrome.

6. Test the female hormone testosterone. Excessive testosterone may cause female infertility or chromosomal abnormalities. It has the function of promoting the growth and development of the clitoris, vulva and mons pubis, inhibiting the male hormone, and having a certain effect on the body's metabolism.

Standard value: The normal concentration of T in women's blood is 0.7~3.1nmol/L. High blood T is called hypertestosteroneuria, which can cause infertility. When suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome, blood T value also increases. Based on clinical symptoms, other growth hormones can be measured if necessary.

Common questions about endocrine imbalance testing

You can wait 3-5 days after the menstrual period to conduct the test. It is best to have a blood test on an empty stomach at 9 am. You can go to the endocrinology or gynecology department of the hospital for examination. You need to check on an empty stomach and do not eat or drink water in the morning.