Hot flashes, sweats, and mood swings are clear indicators of the onset of menopause from the age of 40. If the symptoms appear earlier or if they persist, the hormone status provides a reliable indication of whether the switch has just started – or not. Which values for FSH, progesterone and estrogen are normal and what do high or low values mean for your health?
- On the phone, the nurse gave you the laboratory values for FSH, progesterone and estrogens. But what do they mean for your health?
- © iStock.com/Highwaystarz-Photography
Menopause doesn't start overnight. It is a gradual process that is related to the level of the sex hormones FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone), progesterone and estrogen and changes over weeks and months, not overnight. So first signs will be like a
not perceived as a harbinger of menopause and explained by everyday things such as stress at work, a currently rampant flu wave or the weather. These and other symptoms, such as
However, they may gain weight quickly and are a clear indication of the onset of menopause in women over 40 years of age.
Menopause: The First Symptoms
Lifeline / week
Symptoms of Menopause Under 40 – Can It Be?
The symptoms of menopause occur in some women well before the age of 40. But premature menopause is not always caused by vaginal dryness or a sudden feeling of heat. Organs such as the thyroid gland, but also hormone-producing tumors, can trigger menopausal symptoms, although the underlying disease is actually a different one.
In order to rule out an illness as the cause of these complaints or, if necessary, to confirm the onset of menopause, the level of the hormones FSH, progesterone and oestrogens, which are crucial for this, are measured via the Hormonal status from the Serum in the blood (liquid component) or via a proof in urine determined. Since the Ovaries always in the course of life less estrogens and progesterone produce, the level of these sex hormones decreases and at the same time influences the concentration of other hormones in the blood, such as the FSHmade in the pituitary gland in the brain.
When did you notice the first symptoms of menopause?
Normal values for the hormone level in women as a table
The following tables show the normal values in the serum for the respective phase of life for the sex hormones FSH, progesterone and estradiol, which is measured as a representative representative of the hormone group of estrogens, which also includes oestrone and oestriol.
The values are averaged over the population average and can also be individually harmless in the event of deviations from the normal range. Due to different measurement techniques, the reference ranges may differ slightly depending on the laboratory.
(Units: IE / L = international units per liter; ng / l = nanograms per liter; µg / l = micrograms per liter)
Normal values for pre-menopausal hormone levels
hormone | Reference range | ||
1st half of the cycle | ovulation | 2nd half of the cycle | |
FSH | 2.5-10 IU / l | 3.5 – 33.5 IU / l | 1.5 – 9 IU / l |
Estradiol | 25 – 200 ng / l | 150-300 ng / l | > 80 ng / l |
progesterone | <1 µg / l | Early phase:> 5 µg / l | |
Late phase:> 12 µg / l | |||
Normal values for hormone levels in early menopause
hormone | Reference range | ||
1st half of the cycle | ovulation | 2nd half of the cycle | |
FSH | 10 – 12 IU / l | ||
Estradiol | 25 – 200 ng / l | 150-300 ng / l | > 80 ng / l |
progesterone | <1 µg / l | Early phase: <5 µg / l | |
Late phase: <12 µg / l | |||
Normal values for hormone levels during menopause
| hormone | Reference range | |
| 1st half of the cycle | 2nd half of the cycle |
FSH | > 12 IU / l | |
Estradiol | <25 ng / l | <80 ng / l |
progesterone | <5 µg / l | |
Normal values for postmenopausal hormone levels
| hormone | Reference range |
| FSH | 23 – 116 IU / l |
| Estradiol | <20 ng / l |
| progesterone | <1 µg / l |
Follicle Stimulating Hormone – FSH
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), also known as follitropin, is a so-called gonadotropin, which means that it acts directly on the sex glands. It occurs in both sexes and is formed in the adenohypophysis, the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland (glandula pituitaria). The FSH is then released into the blood so that it can be transported to the genital organs. The amount of FSH released is regulated in the hypothalamus – a section of the diencephalon – via another hormone, the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
Normal values for FSH in women, men and children
With regard to the reference values for FSH, it should be noted that these differ slightly depending on the literature and from laboratory to laboratory. A laboratory result should always be evaluated and assessed by the attending physician.
(Units: IE / L = international units per liter; ng / l = nanograms per liter; µg / l = micrograms per liter)
| children | Reference range in IU / ml |
| 5th day of life | 0.2-4.6 |
| 2nd month of life – 3rd year of life | 1.4-9.2 |
| 4th – 6th year of life | 0.4 – 6.6 |
| 7 – 9 years of age | 0.4-5.0 |
| 10-11 years of age | 0.4 – 6.6 |
| 12-18 years of age | 1.4-9.2 |
| Women | Reference range in IU / ml |
| Follicular phase | 2.5-10.2 (11-20 in the urine) |
| ovulation | 3.1-28.9 |
| Luteal phase | 1.5-9.1 |
| pregnancy | <0.3 |
| under oral contraception (pill) | <4.9 |
| menopause | 20-100 (10-87 in the urine) |
| Post menopause | 23.9-116 |
| Men | Reference range in IU / ml |
| after puberty | 1.5 – 18 |
Effect and function of FSH in women
In women, FSH affects the ovaries (ovaries) and allows the follicles to mature into fully functional egg cells up to ovulation. In conjunction with the luteinizing hormone (LH), FSH stimulates the production of estrogen and progesterone in the ovaries. There is an opposite interaction between them: when there is a lot of estrogen and progesterone in the bloodstream, the pituitary gland releases less FSH. If the level of estrogen and progesterone falls, the release of FSH rises again.
During menopause, the ovaries gradually lose their ability to produce estrogen and progesterone. The body tries to counteract this with an increased release of FSH and stimulate the ovaries to continue producing the two sex hormones naturally. This has an effect on the control of the menstrual cycle, which can become more irregular or non-regular, right up to menopause, i.e. the last menstrual period. The body then keeps the FSH level high for several years, but then finally accepts the lack of response from the ovaries and then reduces the FSH level in the blood to a level slightly above the pre-menopausal phase.
FSH serves as a reliable marker for the progress of menopause and for predicting the last menstrual period and the associated onset of menopause.
When is the FSH level examined?
The FSH value is determined for diseases that could be caused by a sex hormone disorder. These are for example:
- Developmental disorders in puberty, especially puberty
- irregular or permanently absent menstrual period
- infertility
- Underactive ovaries
When is the FSH level low in women?
A lowered FSH level is not associated with a malfunction of the genital organs, but indicates a disruption at the place where the hormone is synthesized in the brain. Possible causes are:
- Underactive pituitary gland (pituitary gland)
- Dysfunction in the area of the hypothalamus (section of the diencephalon)
- Tumors in the pituitary gland
- anorexia
- stress
When is the FSH level too high in women?
Increased FSH levels usually indicate a malfunction in the sexual organs, as the increased FSH release is intended to compensate for a hormone deficiency in the sex glands. However, they can also be caused by the menstrual cycle and accordingly be normal and harmless. Common causes of high FSH levels are:
- Period before ovulation (physiologically rather harmless)
- Cysts on the ovaries (polycystic ovaries)
- Underactive ovaries (after unilateral surgical removal or with the onset of menopause
- Loss of function of the ovaries (after bilateral removal or during menopause)
Effect and function of FSH in men
FSH controls sperm formation (spermatogenesis) in men. The FSH value is determined in the case of disorders of semen maturation or development disorders during puberty.
When is the FSH level low in men?
A low FSH level in men can be caused by a genetic defect since birth or by damage to the brain, such as a stroke, in the area of the diencephalon. This leads to:
-
The pituitary gland (adenohypophysis) anatomically consists of anterior, intermediate and posterior lobes. FSH is made in the anterior lobe.
© iStock.com/janulla
- Underactive gonads (secondary hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, such as Kallmann syndrome)
- Disorders of the hypothalamus (section of the diencephalon) or pituitary gland (pituitary gland)
When is the FSH level high in men?
Genetic causes can also come into question with elevated FSH levels. However, high values usually indicate damage to the testicles. This leads to:
- Underactive gonads despite adequate stimulation (primary hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, such as Klinefelter's syndrome)
- Damage to the tubular cells in the testes, e.g. after inflammation or trauma
Eleven faux pas by women in their 50s
Symptoms of FSH deficiency and their therapy
If an FSH deficiency is genetic and has existed since birth, developmental delays and disorders occur with the obvious symptoms of diseases such as Klinefelter or Kallmann syndrome. If the FSH-Magel occurs too late, the skin symptom is a permanent infertility, since in the woman the egg cells and in the man the sperm cannot mature.
If the cause of the malaise lies in the pituitary gland and thus in the lack of synthesis of FSH, the hormone can be produced chemically and replaced by injection into the bloodstream. The exact dosage requires a lot of experience, as excessive doses can have a negative effect on other hormones in the body or lead to increased egg cell maturation in women and several fertile egg cells are available when ovulating. This can then lead to multiple pregnancies.
Progesterone – luteal hormone
In the case of pregnant women, the Placenta Progesterone. In addition, the adrenal cortex produce small amounts in both women and men progesterone here.
Progesterone is used to maintain pregnancy
Progesterone promotes the after ovulation Structure of the uterine lining. In this way, the hormone ensures that an egg cell finds a good breeding ground for implantation upon arrival in the uterus in the event of fertilization. If the implantation is successful, the corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone. This prevents the lining of the uterus from breaking down and ensures that the pregnancy is preserved.
This takes care of the first three months of pregnancy HCG hormone to ensure that the corpus luteum is retained after the egg cell has been fertilized. During this time, the corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone. The placenta only takes on this role after the first three months of pregnancy. This causes the mammary glands to prepare for milk production and the growth of the embryo is further promoted.
Progesterone is also used to increase Body temperature responsible after ovulation. In the first two days after ovulation, the corpus luteum hormone causes the basal temperature, i.e. the body temperature measured in the body when you wake up, to rise by 0.3 to 0.6 degrees Celsius. If the egg cell fails to be fertilized, the progesterone level drops again. This initiates menstrual bleeding.
In the second half of the cycle, the progesterone level rises
The level of progesterone in the blood depends on the phase of the cycle. It is highest in the second half of the cycle because after ovulation the corpus luteum, which produces the progesterone, develops. During pregnancy, the progesterone level increases significantly. In the last weeks of pregnancy it can reach values up to ten times higher than in the second phase of the cycle.
Normal values for progesterone in women
(Units: IE / L = international units per liter; ng / l = nanograms per liter; µg / l = micrograms per liter)
| phase | Reference range |
1st half of the cycle | ~ 1µg / l |
2nd half of the cycle | ≥ 10 µg / l |
Menopause | ≤1µg / l |
Incidentally, progesterone plays a subordinate role in men. In the male body, it acts mainly as a control element for other metabolic processes.
Decreased progesterone level indicates disorders
If the progesterone level in women is outside the normal range, this may indicate disorders or illnesses. Decreased progesterone levels can result, for example:
- at a Luteal weakness (Corpus luteum insufficiency): The corpus luteum does not produce enough progesterone. The result: menstrual cycle disorders and infertility can occur. If there is a luteal weakness, progesterone production can be stimulated by taking artificial hormones or homeopathic medicines.
- if ovulation does not occur in one or more cycles.
- if the ovaries are not functioning properly
If there is no pregnancy, you can increased progesterone levels for example, indicate hereditary defects in the hormonal balance (so-called androgenital syndrome). In addition, a tumor on the ovaries can be responsible for an increase in progesterone levels.
Progesterone in therapy for menopausal symptoms
In hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat menopausal symptoms, progestin as well as estrogen are used. In principle, two forms of progesterone come into question here. On the one hand, there is synthetic progesterone, which is made in the laboratory. However, this artificial substance carries an increased risk of breast cancer. That is why doctors like Lifeline expert Professor Heinz Günther Bohnet advise using a progestogen called natural progesterone, which can be obtained from the yam root. Since this is completely similar to the progesterone in the body and is accordingly accepted by the body. The progesterone obtained from the yam root can be compressed into tablets in powder form and simply taken. Studies show that this can achieve favorable hormone levels that have a positive effect on the users' quality of life, for example by having a calming effect or even relieving anxiety.
Estrogen (Estrogen) – The main female sex hormone
When is estrogen formed?
Estrogen is mainly produced in the first half of the cycle under the influence of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the ovaries. In the second half of the cycle, the production of estrogen decreases again.
Normal values for estrogen in women, men and children
(Units: pg / ml = picograms per milliliter)
Reference range (in pg / ml) | |||
estrogen | Estradiol | Oestrone | Estriol |
| Women | 10-320 | 50-80 | 1.3-20.3 |
| Men | 15 – 40 | – | – |
infant | |||
| Female | 5 – 55 | – | – |
| male | 5 – 35 | – | – |
What do estrogens do?
Estrogens promote the maturation of a fertile egg cell, its transport and implantation in the uterus. With estrogen, the lining of the uterus grows and is well supplied with blood, the cervix opens and the cervical secretion becomes permeable for sperm. Estrogen signals the egg cell to the pituitary gland and thus indirectly triggers ovulation.
Particularly during puberty, estrogens have an effect on the growth of the mammary glands and on the development of secondary sexual characteristics. Together with progesterone and the gonadotropins, they are responsible for the normal course of the menstrual cycle.
During pregnancy, estrogen is also formed in the placenta. After the embryo has implanted in the uterine wall, it and the placenta are the main suppliers of estrogen. The levels of estrogen and progesterone increase rapidly during pregnancy. The amount of estrogen produced in a single day during pregnancy is the same as that of a non-pregnant woman within three years.
Other effects of estrogens
- During delivery, estrogen encourages the uterus to contract.
- In adults, estrogen stimulates the sex drive.
- Estrogen supports bone structure and has a beneficial effect on fat metabolism.
- In men, too, small amounts of estrogen are produced in the testicles and adrenal cortex.
- Estrogens have also been detected in some plants, such as pomegranate, palm kernels, pussy willows.
- Despite the prohibition, estrogens and related compounds were occasionally used in animal fattening, especially in calf fattening, in order to increase the success of fattening animals.
- After menopause, estrogen production in the female body stops.
Breakdown product of estrogen
Oestrone-3-glucuronide is a breakdown product of estrogen that appears in the urine. From the beginning of the cycle, the concentration of this hormone increases constantly and reaches its maximum value on average 24 hours before ovulation. The amount of estrogen in the urine is detected and evaluated by various cycle computers when trying to have children or for contraception.
