01/07/2024
Hormones are like the conductors of a symphony in our bodies, influencing everything from our mood and weight to our fertility. When these conductors go off-key, it can affect how we feel and our overall health. That’s why it can be helpful to check hormone levels and tackle any issues head-on. Luckily, there’s a handy tool in the female hormone testing services by Randox Health.
Imagine it as a spotlight on hormone levels, helping uncover any imbalances that might be behind changes in mood, fertility, and weight. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what female hormone testing is all about – how it works, why it matters, and what changes in hormones might mean.
Reproductive Health
The female reproductive system is complex and regulated by a range of hormones. These hormones play key roles in female reproductive health, with functions including ovarian follicle (egg) development and ovulation. Lets talk through some of the essential hormones unique to a woman’s health & wellbeing.
Oestradiol is a form of oestrogen used to assess female reproductive function, among other things. It is crucial for the development of secondary female sex characteristics; those which develop during puberty like breast growth and the widening of the hips. Oestradiol levels decline with age. This decline is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular complications, cognitive impairment, and bone fractures in older populations. However, in some women, this decline occurs prematurely which is associated with fertility problems1. Finally, elevated levels of oestradiol, particularly in postmenopausal women, are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer2.
A healthy reproductive system and a healthy menstrual cycle go hand-in-hand. It is therefore no surprise that the hormones involved in these processes are similar. Oestradiol is again a crucial component in the regulation of menstruation. You can expect to see increases in oestradiol during the follicle phase and a subsequent decline during the luteal phase.
Progesterone is a hormone essential for priming the uterus for pregnancy and supporting its maintenance during pregnancy. Therefore, it is involved in the menstrual cycle. Progesterone is also involved in the regulation of menstruation and the preparation of the uterus for implantation. Progesterone levels increase after ovulation and remain elevated throughout the luteal phase of menstruation3.
Growth and development of ovarian follicles are essential to pregnancy. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) plays a crucial role in this process and is charged with the successful release of an egg from the ovary during ovulation. Like many of the biomarkers we’ll discuss, levels of FSH fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, displaying the highest levels during the follicular phase.
Luteinising hormone (LH) is closely related to FSH. They work together to regulate ovulation as well as menstruation4. FSH and LH levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle. FSH levels increase during the follicular phase5 and LH levels can be expected to spike just before ovulation6. Monitoring of these hormones can help in family planning and help identify issues in reproductive and menstrual processes.
The final hormone to consider here is prolactin. This hormone is primarily associated with lactation and milk production in women but is also involved in breast development during pregnancy and in processes surrounding breastfeeding. High levels of prolactin may affect ovulatory and menstrual cycles, which can progress to fertility complications4.
Menopause
Menopause marks a natural and inevitable phase in a woman’s life, typically occurring between the ages of 45 and 55. During this transition, the ovaries gradually produce fewer hormones, leading to the cessation of menstrual cycles and a decline in fertility7.
A decline in oestradiol and progesterone levels is responsible for the symptoms associated with menopause including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood changes. This decline is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and osteoporosis. Prolactin levels may also decrease during menopause contributing to vaginal dryness and breast tenderness. FSH and LH are common markers for menopause. As the ovaries produce less oestrogen and progesterone, levels of FSH and LH increase, providing a method of detecting the onset of menopause7
Testosterone is more often thought of as a male hormone. However, it is essential in the female body too. Testosterone acts as a precursor for oestrogens and has effects on most vital organ systems. It also exerts a significant influence on libido, making it a common hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for postmenopausal women8. Testosterone can be measured as total or free testosterone. Free testosterone is those which are not bound to proteins.8. Using total testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) data, the Free Androgen Index can be calculated. This is useful for detecting excess available or free testosterone in females, like that characteristic of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
SHBG is a glycoprotein responsible for the regulation of sex hormones, acting as a hormonal transporter it influences a variety of target tissues. Levels of SHBG are known to decrease in line with menopause.
Hormone Imbalances and Related Health Concerns
The most obvious issue to arise from hormone imbalance is infertility. Infertility affects as many as 1 in 8 women and it’s on the rise9. Imbalances in progesterone, FSH, LH and prolactin may lead to fertility complications as well as pregnancy complications such as miscarriage or preterm birth10.
As we mentioned, low oestradiol is associated with increased risk for CVD and osteoporosis in older populations and increased levels may be associated with increased risk of breast or endometrial cancer10. High levels of LH are associated with PCOS, a condition with painful symptoms. SHBG has been associated with several conditions including PCOS, hypothyroidism, obesity, hirsutism (excessive hair growth), alopecia (hair loss from the scalp or other parts of the body) and acromegaly (overgrowth of bones and tissues, particularly in the hands, feet, and face)
Finally, testosterone increases in conjunction with decreased SHBG in PCOS. In PCOS, levels of bioavailable testosterone are too high. This can cause the symptoms of PCOS mentioned above11, as well as absent or irregular menstrual periods12.
Lifestyle & Hormonal Health
In the realm of women’s well-being, the choices made daily – particularly those relating to diet and exercise – wield significant influence. These lifestyle factors play a pivotal role in orchestrating overall health and wellbeing, including hormone balance.
Put simply, the blend of lifestyle choices and hormonal well-being takes on a crucial role. Regular exercise and thoughtful dietary choices play their part, providing potential advantages to important biomarkers like oestradiol, progesterone, FSH, LH, prolactin, free and total testosterone, and SHBG. By considering lifestyle choices and how they affect these processes, women can take an active role in helping to maintain their health and wellbeing.
Monitoring Hormonal Health
Hormonal imbalances can lead to various health concerns and symptoms as we’ve discussed. Biomarkers like oestradiol, progesterone, FSH, LH, prolactin, free and total testosterone, and SHBG offer insights into reproductive function and potential imbalances7.
Among the available tests, blood tests are essential for measuring these biomarkers. They reveal crucial information about these biomarkers. These female hormone testing services help to provide a clear understanding of hormonal health, helping you make informed decisions for a balanced and healthier life7. Monitoring hormonal health through blood tests is both an art and a science, sketching a vibrant portrait of well-being. These tests provide insights that empower informed decisions, nurturing a life marked by balance and vitality.
Female Hormone Testing
As part of our Signature, Everywoman, Fertility Health and Female Hormone Testing packages, we test for all the biomarkers discussed in this article and a few others, providing an inclusive assessment of hormonal health, helping to identify hormone imbalances.
Appointments for blood sample collection can be scheduled online to accommodate your preferred time. Following this appointment at one of our clinics, we will analyse the provided blood sample. The results will be delivered to you as a detailed personalized report within 2 days. Access to the results will be provided through a password-protected email. We also provide an optional consultation with a GP that can be booked to discuss the findings.
In-Clinic Female Hormone Testing Services:
*Hover over each of the below to find out more:
Signature Health
What's Involved?
- Up to 350 health data points measured.
- Over 25 vital health areas investigated.
- Optional GP consultation
Everywoman
What's Involved?
- 150 health data points measured
- Hormonal, Heart, Liver, Gut Health & more.
- Repeat testing included.
Fertility Health
What's Involved?
- Measures Female Hormones, Thyroid & full body health.
- Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) included.
At-Home Female Hormone Test:
We are delighted to be able to provide you with the same comprehensive female hormone testing assessment and service from the comfort of your own home. When ordering an At Home Female Hormone test, the kit will be dispatched, the sample collected, and results provided within 2-3 days upon receiving the sample.
A final note: oral contraceptives may impact the results. Hormone-based medications, like contraceptives and HRT, may affect hormone testing so this needs to be accounted for when interpreting the findings.
*Hover cursor below to find out more:
Female Hormone Home Test Kit
- 8 Key Hormones Measured
- Pre-paid Postage included.
- Results 2-3 days after arrival at lab.
- Hamoda H, British Menopause Society. Premature Ovarian Insufficiency.; 2020. Accessed December 6, 2023. https://thebms.org.uk/publications/consensus-statements/premature-ovarian-insufficiency
- Mayo Clinic. Estradiol Test. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/estradiol-test/about/pac-20384707.
- Cable JK, Grider MH. Physiology, Progesterone.; 2023.
- Endocrine Society. Reproductive Hormones. https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/hormones-and-endocrine-function/reproductive-hormones.
- Li RHW, Ng EHY. Serum follicle stimulating hormone to oestradiol ratio as a biomarker for the menopausal transition: a secondary analysis on women in the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation. Maturitas. 2021;152:67. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2021.08.008
- Rieder JK, Darabos K, Weierich MR. Estradiol and Women’s Health: Considering the Role of Estradiol as a Marker in Behavioral Medicine. Int J Behav Med. 2020;27(3):294-304. doi:10.1007/s12529-019-09820-4
- Iino K, Mizunuma H. Biomarkers of Menopause. In: ; 2015:531-543. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-7696-8_9
- Krakowsky Y, Grober ED. Testosterone Deficiency – Establishing A Biochemical Diagnosis. EJIFCC. 2015;26(2):105-113.
- Datta J, Palmer MJ, Tanton C, et al. Prevalence of infertility and help seeking among 15 000 women and men. Human Reproduction. 2016;31(9):2108-2118. doi:10.1093/humrep/dew123
- Sadrzadehh H, Kline G, eds. Endocrine Biomarkers. Elsevier; 2017. doi:10.1016/C2014-0-03865-8
- NHS. Polycystic ovary syndrome. Health A to Z. Published October 11, 2022. Accessed December 6, 2023. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos
- West S, Lashen H, Bloigu A, et al. Irregular menstruation and hyperandrogenaemia in adolescence are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome and infertility in later life: Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 study. Human Reproduction. 2014;29(10):2339-2351. doi:10.1093/humrep/deu200leo.