Hormones women’s hormone health test many important body functions, including the menstrual cycle, mood, metabolism, sleep, and fertility. An imbalance in these hormones can have serious health effects. Hormone tests can help doctors diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, such as uterine fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disease, and other issues affecting women and people assigned female at birth.

Most hormone tests are done using blood samples, taken either in your healthcare provider’s office or at a testing facility. The results of most hormone tests are available within a few business days.

FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) is a sex hormone that stimulates the ovaries to produce eggs. It also controls the menstrual cycle and triggers ovulation. High levels of this hormone are seen in the first phase of menopause called perimenopause, which usually lasts for two to eight years. Low levels of this hormone may indicate that you’re post-menopausal.

The Benefits of Using an At-Home Female Hormone Test

Estrogen levels decrease in the middle of the menstrual cycle, and progesterone levels rise to a peak just before an egg is fertilized. High levels of estrogen and progesterone can cause atypical periods, irregular ovulation, and other signs of hormonal problems.

The female basic hormone panel blood test measures the levels of DHEA sulfate, estradiol, progesterone, and both free and total testosterone. Your healthcare provider will use this information to determine whether your hormones are within the normal range and to look for any underlying causes. Tests to check for hormone imbalances that affect women and people assigned female at birth may be ordered by your primary care doctor, a gynecologist or other obstetrician/gynecologist, or a specialist such as an endocrinologist or fertility specialist.