Female Hormones : A Balancing Act.

Female hormones are like the conductors of a symphony in our bodies, influencing everything from our mood and weight to our fertility. When these conductors go off-key, it can affect how we feel and our overall health. That’s why it’s important for you to keep an eye on your hormone levels and tackle any issues head-on. Luckily, there’s a handy tool in the female hormone tests by Randox Health.

Imagine it as a spotlight on our hormone levels, helping you uncover any imbalances that might be behind changes in your mood, fertility, weight, and overall well-being. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what the female hormone testing is all about – how it works, why it matters for you as a woman, and how it can guide you towards a healthier life. We’ll also chat about how the female hormone testing empowers you to steer your health journey.

Reproductive health

The female body is capable of a vast array of wonderful things, not least, the ability to create small humans. As you can imagine, this is an incredibly complex process involving many pathways and hormones. Here are a few of the most important female hormones to keep tabs on:

It goes without saying that a healthy reproductive system and a healthy menstrual cycle go hand-in-hand. It is therefore no surprise that the female hormones involved in these processes are similar. Oestradiol is again a crucial component in the regulation of menstruation. You can expect to see increases in oestradiol during the follicle phase and a subsequent decline during the luteal phase. Progesterone is also involved in the regulation of menstruation and the preparation of the uterus for implantation. Progesterone levels increase after ovulation and remain elevated throughout the luteal phase of menstruation³.

FSH and LH levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle. FSH levels increase during the follicular phase⁴ and LH levels can be expected to spike just before ovulation⁵. Monitoring of these female hormones can help in family planning and help identify issues in your reproductive and menstrual processes.

Menopause marks a natural and inevitable phase in a woman’s life, typically occurring between the ages of 45 and 55. During this transition, the ovaries gradually produce fewer female hormones, leading to the cessation of menstrual cycles and a decline in fertility⁶.

A decline in oestradiol and progesterone levels is responsible for the symptoms associated with menopause including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood changes. This decline is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and osteoporosis. Prolactin levels may also decrease during menopause contributing to vaginal dryness and breast tenderness. FSH and LH are common markers for menopause. As the ovaries produce less oestrogen and progesterone, levels of FSH and LH increase, providing a method of detecting the onset of menopause⁶.

Testosterone is more often thought of as a male hormone. However, it is essential in the female body too. Testosterone acts as a precursor for oestrogens and has effects on most vital organ systems. It also exerts a significant influence on libido, making it a common hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for postmenopausal women⁷. Testosterone can be measured as total or free testosterone. Free testosterone is those which are not bound to proteins. The direct measurement of free testosterone is challenging, so it is more commonly calculated through total testosterone, albumin, and sex-hormone binding globulin data⁷.

Sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is a glycoprotein responsible for the regulation of sex hormones, acting as a hormonal transporter it influences a variety of target tissues. Levels of SHBG are known to decrease in line with menopause, which can lead to the decline of other hormones, such as testosterone⁶.

Hormonal imbalances disrupt our body’s symphony, which can give rise to troublesome conditions. These influential messengers dictate functions from metabolism to mood. When excess or scarcity strikes, chaos ensues, upending the rhythm of normal processes.

The most obvious is infertility. Infertility affects as many as 1 in 8 women and it’s on the rise⁸. Imbalances in progesterone, FSH, LH and prolactin may lead to fertility complications as well as pregnancy complications such as miscarriage or preterm birth⁹. As we mentioned, low oestradiol is associated with increased risk for CVD and osteoporosis in older populations and increased levels may be associated with increased risk of breast or endometrial cancer⁹. High levels of LH are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition with painful symptoms. Finally, SHBG has been associated with several conditions including PCOS, hypothyroidism, obesity, hirsutism (excessive hair growth), alopecia (hair loss from the scalp or other parts of the body) and acromegaly (overgrowth of bones and tissues, particularly in the hands, feet, and face)⁹.

In the realm of women’s well-being, the choices made daily – particularly those relating to diet and exercise – wield significant influence. These lifestyle factors play a pivotal role in orchestrating the delicate balance of hormones. When this balance falters, it can trigger a series of health concerns and distressing symptoms. Yet, the silver lining resides in the potential of lifestyle adjustments to help recalibrate this intricate symphony¹⁰.

Oestradiol, a cornerstone of feminine vitality, responds favourably to regular exercise and the incorporation of phytoestrogen-rich foods like soy into the diet. Similarly, progesterone’s equilibrium finds support through an active lifestyle and dietary inclusion of vitamin B6. The balance of FSH can be nurtured by a combination of physical activity and the integration of omega-3 fatty acids¹⁰.

LH harmonisation can be aided with both exercise and adequate vitamin D intake. Prolactin, a critical player in lactation and reproductive health, benefits from exercise and a diet enriched with vitamin B6. The intricate partnership between free and total testosterone, guardians of strength and vitality, thrives on the twin pillars of exercise and a diet rich in nourishing proteins and healthy fats¹⁰.

Put simply, the blend of lifestyle choices and hormonal well-being takes on a crucial role. Regular exercise and thoughtful dietary choices play their part, providing potential advantages to important biomarkers like oestradiol, progesterone, FSH, LH, prolactin, free and total testosterone, and SHBG. By considering your lifestyle choices and how the effect these processes, women can take an active role to safeguard their hormonal balance, prevent imbalances, and alleviate health concerns and symptoms.

Monitoring hormonal health is essential for women’s overall well-being. Hormonal imbalances can lead to various health concerns and symptoms as we’ve discussed. Female hormones like oestradiol, progesterone, FSH, LH, prolactin, free and total testosterone, and SHBG offer insights into reproductive function and potential imbalances⁶.

Among the available tests, blood tests are essential for measuring these female hormones.  These tests help to provide a clear understanding of hormonal health, helping you make informed decisions for a balanced and healthier life⁶. Monitoring hormonal health through blood tests is both an art and a science, sketching a vibrant portrait of well-being. These tests provide insights that empower informed decisions, nurturing a life marked by balance and vitality.

As part of our Signature, Everywoman, Everymother, Fertility Health and Female Hormones packages, we test for all the biomarkers discusses in this article and a few others, providing an inclusive assessment of your hormonal health and helping to identify any hormone imbalances you might harbour. You can book online, where you’ll be allocated an appointment that suits your schedule. During this appointment you will attend one of our clinics to provide a blood sample, which we will test and return your results, in the form of a personalised report with plenty of detail about your findings, within 2 days. You will get your results via a password protect email and, if you wish, you can book a consultation with a MyHealthCare Doctor to discuss your findings.