What Is Fsh Hormone?

Generally speaking, according to the University of Ottawa, a hormone is a chemical produced in your body that controls the functions of a specific organ. Follicle-stimulating hormone, known as FSH, is an important hormone for the reproductive system of both men and women.

Production

• The anterior or front part of your pituitary gland is responsible for producing FSH, reports the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Function

• For men, FSH is responsible for triggering production of sperm. In women, FSH causes the ovaries to produce eggs and also contributes to the production of estradiol, the female sex hormone that is responsible for the proper functioning of the ovaries and the formation of the placenta during pregnancy.

Effects

• Because it affects the production of the reproductive cells in men and women, FSH is an important part of conception. People with a deficiency of FSH often suffer from infertility, reports the Mayo Clinic.

Features

• To check levels of FSH hormone in your body, doctors perform tests to measure the amount of FSH in your blood. Deficiencies of FSH are usually treated with prescription medications such as clomiphene citrate or gondatrophins, reports the Mayo Clinic.

Normal levels

• For women who have undergone puberty but not yet menopause, the normal level for FSH hormone is 3.0 to 3.5 IU per liter. For adult males, the normal level of FSH is between 1.5 and 12.4 IU per liter, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.