What does FSH do?

Follicle-stimulating hormone is an important hormone that has a few different functions depending on the type of sexual organs (gonads) you have and your age.

FSH plays major roles in fetal development, puberty and menstruation in females.

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The Effects of suboptimal/elevated levels?

If you are a woman, high FSH levels may mean you may have:

• Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) - the loss of ovarian function before the age of 40.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (POCS) - leading cause of female infertility.
• Started menopause or are in perimenopause.

If you are a woman, low FSH levels may mean:

• Your ovaries are not making enough eggs.
• Underactive/Hyperactive pituitary gland.
• You have a problem with your hypothalamus, a part of the brain that controls the pituitary gland and other important body functions.
• You are very underweight.

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