Q. What is FSH and what role does it play in reproduction?
Follicle stimulating hormone as the name imply, is a hormone. FHS is an important hormone for normal functioning of the reproductive system in men and women. In women, FSH helps control the menstrual cycle and the production of eggs by the ovaries
Q. What are the implications if my FSH is high?
High FSH levels could also indicate any of the following;
- Poor ovarian reserve — also known as impaired ovarian reserve
- Premature ovarian aging
- Premature ovarian insufficiency
- Declining ovarian reserve. In this condition you have relatively few eggs left in the ovaries, or impaired development or recruitment of the eggs.
Q. What are the key factors that may impact FSH adversely?
- Estrogen (Estradiol) is a primary regulator of your FSH. Low estradiol levels will affect how your FSH is regulated and may cause them to rise above what is regarded as normal.
- Stress is one of the key causes of high FSH levels. You have got to understand that anything that affects the brain will ultimately be able to alter your hormonal makeup. This is a point I have been stressing on for years.
- Impaired thyroid function
IMPROVING YOUR FSH VIA IMPROVING PITUITARY FUNCTION
- SUPPLEMENTS: Omega 3 and B complex supplementations can help regularize your FSH.
- SLEEP: We have spoken exhaustibly about the subject of sleep and how important sleep is to the regulation of your hormones generally. Getting enough rest and cutting down your exposure to light can go a long way to restore sanity to your FSH.