Why do hormone tests at the beginning of the menstrual cycle?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor I Truong Thi Phuong - Doctor of Ultrasound - Department of Diagnostic Imaging - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.
The hormone test is one of the familiar reproductive health checks for women. The time to perform a hormone test can be the first days of your period or right before your period.

1. What is a female hormone test?

Female hormone testing includes small tests to evaluate and monitor the function, functioning, and storage capacity of the ovaries.
Based on the results of these tests, the doctor can know a woman's reproductive health status and detect hormonal disorders (if any) early.

2. When are female hormone tests done?

Levels of female hormones will vary depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. Some specific tests need to be done at certain intervals to ensure accurate results, be it the first days of your period, or just before your period:
LH and FSH tests: within the 2nd to 4th day of the menstrual cycle.
Progesterone test: within the 21st to 28th day of the cycle.
Testosterone, Estrogen, AMH and Prolactin hormones have fairly stable levels so the test can be performed at any time.

3. Meaning of hormone test indicators?

Female hormone test includes 7 small tests, namely Testosterone, Estrogen, Progesterone, FSH, AMH, LH and Prolactin.
Testosterone Index Testosterone is an indispensable hormone in men, but in women there is also a certain small amount. This hormone plays an important role in stimulating and increasing sex drive in both men and women.
The normal range of Testosterone is between 15 - 70mg/dL.
Too much Testosterone can be a sign of rare tumors or polycystic ovary syndrome.
Estrogen Index Estrogen is a hormone that plays a role in regulating physical characteristics in women, such as voice, smooth skin or body curves and a number of problems related to childbirth. products such as elasticity and wetness of the intimate area or menstrual cycle,...
Estrogen has 3 forms, but in which E2 (or Estradiol) is the most common form. The level of estradiol is considered normal if it is between 70 – 220 pmol/L or 20 – 60 pg/mL.
Progesterone index Progesterone plays an important role in reproductive function in women because it has the ability to stimulate the development of mammary glands and uterine lining. In particular, for pregnant women, progesterone needs to be maintained at a high level to protect the fetus. However, for normal women, progesterone levels should only be maintained between 5 and 20 ng/mL. The excess of Progesterone in the body can lead to many negative symptoms such as depression, body weakness, chest tightness, decreased libido, menstrual disorders,...

FSH index The FSH test is often indicated as a basis for the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome in women. A high FSH test level means that the ovarian reserve is low.
FSH test results are normal if the measured FSH level in the body is between 1.4 - 9.6 IU/L.
AMH index The AMH test is one of the most important procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility because it assesses the fertility in the ovaries most accurately.
Safe AMH concentrations range from 2 to 6.8 ng/ml. AMH that is too high or too low is not good. Specifically:
Too high AMH levels: increases the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation, leading to infertility.
Too low AMH concentration: reduces the ability to respond to drugs in IVF.
LH index LH is an essential hormone for oocyte maturation and egg release. LH turns the oocyte into the corpus luteum after ovulation. The corpus luteum then secretes progesterone. The LH test is normal if the LH level is between 0.8 and 26 IU/L.
Ovulation process and menstrual cycle can be affected, causing disorder if the level of LH hormone in the body is too high. In addition, it also increases the risk of polycystic ovary disease in women.
Prolactin Index Prolactin hormone in high concentration can be considered as a natural method of contraception for women who are breastfeeding. However, for normal women, high levels of the hormone Prolactin can lead to infertility.
Safe concentrations of Prolactin are in the range of 127 – 637 μU/mL.

4. When to do a female hormone test?

Women are recommended to have regular hormone tests 1 to 2 times a year so that they can check their reproductive health and detect any problems in time. The best time to have a female hormone test is during your menstrual cycle.
Besides, some specific cases should do hormone tests such as:
Menstrual cycle disorder People who do not have a period (primary amenorrhea) or have amenorrhea for 3 months or more (amenorrhea) secondary) Women over 35 years old Suspected cases of polycystic ovary syndrome The body is often tired, weak and insomniacs Excessive sweating, hair loss Uncontrollable weight gain Prepare to use measures assisted reproduction such as in vitro fertilization. To help customers detect gynecological diseases, Vinmec International General Hospital has a basic gynecological examination and screening package, helping customers to detect early infectious diseases for easy treatment. costly. Screening detects gynecological cancer (cervical cancer) early even when there are no symptoms.
Basic gynecological examination and screening package for female customers, has no age limit and may have the following symptoms:
Abnormal vaginal bleeding Having menstrual problems: irregular menstrual cycle, irregular menstrual cycle Irregular vaginal discharge (smell, different color) Vaginal pain and itching Female clients have several risk factors such as poor personal hygiene, Unsafe sex, abortion,... Female customers have other symptoms such as: Abnormal vaginal discharge, itching, pain in the private area, abnormal vaginal bleeding.

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