What does the LH hormone mean for pregnancy?

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Nguyen Thi Minh Tuyet - Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Knowledge of the LH Hormone, when hormone levels rise, and the relationship between this rise and fertility is important for women trying to get pregnant. There are several ways to track monthly LH increases. In the article below will describe the methods of monitoring, how long the period lasts and how to use them to increase the odds of pregnancy.

LH, or luteinizing hormone, like follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), is a gonadal hormone produced and released by the anterior pituitary cells. This hormone plays an important role in regulating the function of the testes in men and the ovaries in women.
In women, LH performs different roles in the two halves of the menstrual cycle. During the first and second week of the cycle, the body needs LH to stimulate the follicles in the ovaries to produce the female sex hormone Estradiol. Around day 14 of the cycle, increased LH levels cause the follicle to rupture and release a mature oocyte (egg) from the ovary, a process we call ovulation. During the remainder of the cycle (3rd to 4th week), the remainder of the follicle forms a corpus luteum. LH stimulates the corpus luteum to produce progesterone, which is needed to support the early stages of pregnancy, if fertilization occurs.

The control of LH secretion from the anterior pituitary is regulated through a system called the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone is released from the hypothalamus and binds to receptors in the anterior pituitary to stimulate both synthesis and release of LH (and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone)). LH is released into the bloodstream, where it binds to receptors in the testes and ovaries to regulate their hormone secretion and sperm or egg production.
The release of hormones from the gonads can inhibit the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and in turn, LH from the anterior pituitary. When hormone levels from the gonads decrease, the opposite happens and gonadotropin-releasing hormone and therefore LH increases. This mechanism is called negative feedback.
Fine-tuning LH release is important for maintaining fertility. Because of this, compounds designed to mimic the action of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone are used to stimulate gonadal function in assisted fertilization techniques. pregnancy such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). Measuring LH levels in urine can be used to predict the timing of LH surges in women and based on that to predict ovulation. This is one of the methods used in ovulation prediction kits used for couples who want to conceive.

LH levels that are too high can be a sign of infertility. Because LH secretion is tightly controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, high levels of LH in the blood suggest decreased sex steroid production from the testes or ovaries (eg, in ovarian failure). Soon).
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common condition in women associated with high levels of the hormone LH and reduced fertility. That's when an imbalance between luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone can cause abnormal testosterone production.
Genetic diseases, such as Klinefelter syndrome, and Turner syndrome, can also cause high levels of luteinising hormone. Klinefelter's syndrome, is a disorder that occurs only in males and results from carrying an extra X chromosome (hence males have XXY, instead of an XY chromosome). As a result, the testicles are small and do not secrete enough testosterone to support sperm production. Turner syndrome is a female-only disorder caused by a partial or complete deletion of the X chromosome (patients only have XO, instead of XX). In affected patients, ovarian function is impaired and therefore LH hormone production is increased to attempt to stimulate ovarian function.

Too little LH hormone will also lead to infertility in both men and women, because the level of LH hormone is important as we need it to support testicular or ovarian function.
In men, an example of low LH hormone levels found is Kallmann syndrome, which is associated with a deficiency in the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus.
In women, a lack of the hormone LH results in no ovulation and irregular periods, or amenorrhea.
Hormones control many reproductive systems of the human body, and the hormone LH is one of them. With different roles in the bodies of men and women, this important hormone is essential for a healthy reproductive system. You need to know about this essential hormone to ensure you take control of your reproductive health.

When the body's levels of the hormone LH rise, it triggers the onset of ovulation and the beginning of the most fertile period of the menstrual cycle. Tracking the rise in LH hormone levels can help people plan their sex life and increase their chances of getting pregnant.

For those trying to conceive, the best time to have unprotected sex is during LH spikes. Ovulation Prediction Kit (OPK) at home measures LH levels in the urine. It is best to start checking levels when the window of conception is approaching, or a few days before ovulation. Most women ovulate between 7 and 19 days before their next period begins. Many people ovulate on day 14, but this can vary, depending on the length of a person's cycle. Those with shorter cycles should test earlier in the likely date range.

One of the most effective ways to check for LH spikes is with a blood test. Besides, there are many indicators of the time of ovulation, including:
Urine LH concentration Number of days since last period Cervical mucus test However, the best way to check for increase High levels of LH are:
Blood tests prescribed by a doctor Using an ovulation predictor kit (OPK) at home If you suspect you have a problem with your LH hormone function, you will need medical advice. endocrinologist support. Vinmec International General Hospital always provides pre-marital examination packages and counseling packages on sexual dysfunction to help customers examine, screen and have methods to protect reproductive health.