Follicle Stimulating Hormone

Follicle Stimulating Hormone

A follicle stimulating hormone test or more commonly known as an FSH test is a certain type of test that measures the levels of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) in a single blood sample; this hormone is produced by the body’s pituitary glands. In women, the follicle stimulating hormone aids in controlling the production of eggs in your ovaries and it also helps control the cycle of your period. Throughout your menstrual cycle, the levels of FSH differ and it is usually at its highest right before you release an egg – the period of ovulation. For men, the follicle stimulating hormone aids in controlling their production of sperm and the levels of this hormone in men generally remains the same.

The amounts of FSH as well as other hormones such as estrogen, luteinizing hormones, and progesterone are all measured in males and females to find out why the couples are not able to have a baby. The levels of FSH can aid in determining whether the female or male’s sex organs are working properly or not, and this will help your doctors determine what plan of action to work with to help with your issues.

Why is the Follicle Stimulating Hormone Test Done?

This specific type of test can be done for the following:

1. The test helps find the main cause of infertility; the follicle stimulating hormone test is generally utilized to evaluate and determine your ovarian reserve or the supply of eggs present, and the low sperm count of your partner.

2. It also aids in evaluating a variety of menstrual issues such as absent or irregular periods called amenorrhea; the test can help doctors find out whether you have already entered the menopausal stage.

3. To determine if your child is going through precocious puberty, the stage of early puberty. Keep in mind that puberty is too early once it begins in girls younger than nine years old, as well as in boys younger than the age of ten.

4. The FSH test also helps determine why sexual organs or features do not properly develop when they should, causing them to experience delayed puberty.

FSH Procedure

During the follicle stimulating hormone procedure, a healthcare specialist or your doctor will draw your blood and do the following:

1. On your upper arm, he or she will wrap an elastic band to prevent blood from flowing; this process will allow your veins below the band to grow larger, making it much easier for the doctor or specialist to put a needle right into your vein.

2. Before piercing your skin with the needle, he or she will thoroughly clean the spot to inject with alcohol before putting the needle carefully into the protruding vein. Keep in mind that more than a single needle stick may be necessary for the procedure.

3. This time, the doctor will attach a small tube to the needle to fill it with blood before removing the slightly tight band from your arm once your blood has been taken.

4. Once your blood has been collected, apply a cotton ball or gauze pad over the injected spot while the needle is carefully pulled out; after, apply adequate amount of pressure to the area before bandaging this to seep the remaining blood that flows.

If you are someone having problems when it comes to your menstrual cycle, or if you are someone having problems becoming pregnant, you will require more than one blood sample to determine if you have any form of follicle stimulating hormone problem; remember that a sample can be taken every day for a couple of days in a row.

Risks of Having the FSH Test

Just like every other procedure that is available, there are risks that you may face when having the FSH test; however, these risks or complications are nothing alarming, especially when it comes to having blood drawn from your veins.

Here are some of the complications that you can experience once going through the follicle stimulating hormone test:

1. It is possible for you to develop a small bruise right on the area that you have been injected; reduce the risk of bruising your skin by keeping enough pressure on the area for a couple of minutes right after the needle has been removed.

2. This is rare but at times, your vein could get inflamed after drawing out blood. The condition is called phlebitis and it can be treated with a simple warm compress that will be applied a couple of times, daily.

3. Continuous bleeding could also be an issue especially for those who have bleeding disorders; you should remember to inform your doctor or healthcare specialist if you have any clotting or bleeding issues, or if you take any kind of blood-thinning medicines.

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