During menopause, a woman's ovaries stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This leads to changes in the levels of other hormones, including luteinizing hormone (LH). LH is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain and regulates ovulation and estrogen production in women.
In premenopausal women, LH levels fluctuate during the menstrual cycle. LH levels surge around ovulation, triggering the release of an egg from the ovaries. After ovulation, LH levels decrease.
However, in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, LH levels are often elevated. This is because the lack of estrogen feedback from the ovaries causes the pituitary gland to produce more LH in an effort to stimulate estrogen production.
Some key points about LH levels in menopause:
- LH levels start to rise and become less cyclic during perimenopause as ovarian function declines. Perimenopause is the transition period leading up to menopause, usually lasting several years.
- After menopause, LH levels remain consistently elevated. Without estrogen feedback, LH is no longer suppressed.
- High LH is often used as a marker of menopause. LH levels above 25-30 mIU/mL are considered high and indicative of ovarian failure.
- The FSH to LH ratio also declines. FSH is another hormone from the pituitary that stimulates follicle growth. In menopause, both FSH and LH are high, but LH rises more than FSH.
- Elevated LH can lead to various menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and emotional changes. This is related to the lack of estrogen.
- There are some medical conditions that can also cause high LH, so it's important to evaluate other symptoms when diagnosing menopause. Your doctor may order blood tests to measure FSH and estrogen as well.
- LH levels can help determine the best treatment options in menopause. Hormone replacement therapy containing estrogen is commonly used to relieve hot flashes and other symptoms.
In summary, LH is considered to be significantly high or elevated in women who have reached menopause. This is a key indicator of the hormonal changes taking place as ovarian function ceases. Consulting your doctor for hormone testing can help confirm menopause and guide appropriate treatment.
If you're experiencing possible perimenopause or menopause symptoms, the caring providers at Balance Hormone Center can help get to the root cause with advanced hormone testing and craft a personalized treatment plan to help you feel your best. Contact us today to learn more and take control of your hormonal health.
