The luteinizing hormone (LH) is an essential hormone for women. However, men also produce this hormone. LH is part of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis in the body. It is produced in the brain and then released by the pituitary gland which stimulates ovulation and helps with sexual development during puberty. It also plays an important role in ensuring pregnancy by causing eggs inside your ovaries to mature and develop each month. In men, LH stimulates the release of testosterone.
A Closer Look At LH And Its Role
The luteinizing hormone is a reproductive hormone that stimulates your ovaries to produce testosterone and subsequently converts it to estrogen, the “female” hormone. The pituitary gland releases LH after receiving signals from the hypothalamus and the gonads (testes in men and ovaries in women).
During your menstrual cycle, LH levels fluctuate throughout different phases: rising above baseline levels during peak fertility days and dropping below baseline levels during menstruation. If you’re not pregnant, LH causes one of your ovarian follicles—the sacs that contain eggs—to release an egg. This process is called ovulation.
How Does LH Help You Get Pregnant?
LH is responsible for ovulation. Therefore, without this hormone, your body wouldn’t be able to use the eggs in your ovaries and release them for fertilization.
When you’re not pregnant, your body’s LH level rises and falls over a cycle that repeats every month. The highest levels of LH happen at certain times during this cycle: especially during the first half of your cycle. When this happens, it signals both your ovaries to mature an egg and release it (ovulation).
LH Is Important, But Too Much Can Cause Problems
A normal amount of luteinizing hormone is necessary for fertility—but too much can be problematic.
As with many things, balance is key. An overproduction of LH in the body can lead to Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), a condition caused by excess hormones in women. This causes the ovaries to swell and leak fluid, resulting in severe abdominal pain or even hospitalization for severe cases that don’t respond well to treatment. This condition is common in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) that are undergoing fertility treatment. Too much LH can also result in delayed development in children, menstrual problems (such as irregular periods), and infertility.
In men, an excess amount of LH can result in hypogonadism and low sex drive since a high amount of LH signifies that steroid hormones, like testosterone, aren’t being produced optimally.
Why Your LH Levels May Be High
In women, some of the causes for high levels of LH are:
- Menopause
- Ovulation or ovary problems
- PCOS
- A pituitary tumor
- Turner’s Syndrome which affects sexual development and causes infertility in women
In men, some of the causes include:
- Testicle injury or damage due to chemotherapy, radiation, trauma or alcohol abuse
- Genetic disorders like Klinefelter’s syndrome
- Brain injury or pituitary tumors
When Should You Get Tested and See a Doctor?
If you have been trying to conceive and haven’t been successful, getting your LH levels tested would be beneficial. This is because high LH levels can indicate that your eggs are not maturing properly.
If you’re experiencing PCOS symptoms such as body hair growth, acne, and weight gain, and you’re undergoing fertility treatment, it is also important that your treatment is monitored for LH levels to prevent OHSS.
If you have been experiencing other unusual symptoms like period irregularities in women or low sex drive in men, it is best to get tested and speak to your doctor about your results.
Conclusion
LH is an important hormone in women’s fertility and reproductive system and plays a role in men’s hormonal health. Although it’s an important hormone, there is such a thing as too much LH. If your LH levels are elevated it can result in infertility and other serious problems, so don’t ignore the signs your body might be telling you. Getting tested to confirm a diagnosis and getting on the path to the treatment you need is vital. If your results are abnormal, speak to your doctor for further guidance.
Key Takeaways
- The luteinizing hormone (LH) is an essential hormone for women and men and is responsible for many functions in the reproductive system.
- A normal amount of luteinizing hormone is necessary for fertility—but too much can be problematic as with any hormonal imbalance.
- Causes of high LH include pituitary tumors, genetic disorders, PCOS, and, in men, testicular injury.
- If you suspect you might have high LH levels, get tested and discuss your results with your doctor for further guidance.