Female Hormone Test List for PCOS, Fertility, and Menopause

Hormones play an important role in the female body, regulating reproductive functions and improving overall physical and emotional health. A hormonal test for females can help identify imbalances that may be contributing to issues such as infertility, PCOS, menopause, signs of depression, or chronic fatigue.

If you're experiencing unexplained mood changes, irregular periods, or difficulty conceiving, you must get your hormone levels tested. A simple Female Hormone Blood Test can identify underlying conditions and help choose the right treatment option. 

Here is a comprehensive female hormone test list that provides insights about key hormones that should be tested to assess physical and reproductive health.

7 Key Biomarkers in the Female Hormone Test List

When women undergo a hormone test, the following key biomarkers are commonly measured to assess overall hormonal health and well-being.

• Estrogen (Oestradiol)
• Progesterone
• Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH)
• Luteinising Hormone (LH)
• Testosterone
• Six Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
• Thyroid Hormones (T3, T4, TSH)

Let’s have a detailed insight into each hormone’s role in the female body, its normal range, and how to interpret the test results.

Estrogen

Estrogen is one of the key hormones responsible for regulating the female reproductive system. Its level fluctuates throughout the menstrual cycle, peaking at ovulation and lowest during menstruation stage. 

There are 3 main types of estrogen in the body:

Estrone (E1): The primary form of estrogen produced after menopause.

Estradiol (E2): The most potent form of estrogen, produced during the reproductive years. Its level declines with age, being lowest at menopause. 

Estriol (E3): It is produced in significant amounts during pregnancy

Why Get Tested for Estrogen Levels?

Testing estrogen levels is a crucial component of a comprehensive female hormone test. If you are experiencing the following symptoms, it is high time to get your estrogen tested earlier:

• Irregular or missed periods
• Difficulty conceiving
• Experiencing menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings)
• You’re biologically male but have female body characteristics

Why Estrogen Testing Matters?

Estrogen plays several crucial roles in a woman’s body, including:

• Maturation and release of eggs from the ovaries.
• Thickening of the uterus lining to support implantation and pregnancy.
• Supporting bone health
• Development of female secondary sex characteristics
• Understanding Estrogen Test Results

Estradiol (E2) is the most commonly measured form of estrogen in hormone testing. Its levels are typically measured in picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) and vary depending on the phase of your menstrual cycle. Check out the reference ranges for Estrogen Hormone in females.

• Low Estrogen Levels may be associated with conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or Hypopituitarism.
• High Estrogen Levels could be due to obesity, fatigue, or Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Progesterone

Progesterone is a vital hormone that plays a key role in preparing and maintaining the womb (uterus) for pregnancy. It helps thicken the uterine lining (endometrium), creating a nourishing environment for a fertilized egg to implant and grow.

After ovulation, if an egg is fertilized, the corpus luteum (a temporary hormone-secreting structure) continues producing progesterone for several weeks to support the early stages of pregnancy. The level of progesterone in a woman's body varies depending on whether fertilization occurs:

• If the egg is not fertilized, Progesterone levels drop, leading to the shedding of the uterine lining and the start of menstruation.
• If the egg is fertilized, Progesterone levels rise steadily, stimulating the glands to produce nutrients that nourish the developing embryo and sustain the pregnancy.

Why Get Tested for Progesterone Levels?

Measuring progesterone levels through a blood test is an important part of a female hormone imbalance test, especially for evaluating reproductive health. Women may need to check their progesterone levels to assess or monitor the following conditions:

• Difficulty conceiving or maintaining pregnancy
• Tracking ovulation 
• Pregnancy complications or a history of miscarriage
• Suspected ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus)

Understanding Progesterone Test Results

Just like with estrogen, timing is crucial when testing progesterone levels. Progesterone level rises around the middle of the menstrual cycle, typically after ovulation. If fertilization does not occur, levels drop again within 6–10 days, triggering menstruation. However, if fertilization occurs, progesterone levels continue to rise during the early stages of pregnancy to support embryo development.

Progesterone level is measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) or nanomoles per liter (nmol/L). Here are the typical reference ranges for progesterone levels:

Abnormal progesterone levels can signal various health concerns, particularly related to fertility and pregnancy:

• Low progesterone during pregnancy may indicate a risk of miscarriage or premature labor.
• Persistently high or abnormally rising progesterone levels may, in rare cases, be associated with breast cancer.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Both FSH and LH are produced by the pituitary, which is a pea-sized gland in the brain.  Both play a significant role in the growth of the ovarian follicles and the release of the egg. 

FSH helps mature the egg by stimulating the growth of ovarian follicles, leading to the release of estrogen during the follicular phase, the first phase of the menstrual cycle. 

This rise in the estrogen level compels the pituitary gland to stop its production and start producing LH. The sudden rise in LH consequently stimulates the ovaries to release the egg in a process called ovulation. 

Why Get Tested for FSH and LH Levels?

Testing FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) and LH (Luteinizing Hormone) is an important part of a female hormone test list, especially when evaluating reproductive health and hormone balance. Healthcare providers may recommend testing FSH and LH levels for the following reasons:

• Fertility problems
• Irregular periods
• Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• Suspected Pituitary gland disorders
• Presence of ovarian cysts

What do the Test Results Mean?

The normal levels of FSH and LH during different phases of the menstrual cycle are mentioned below:

Too high or too low levels of FSH and LH may indicate a possible health complication.

• An abnormally high level can be due to ovarian abnormality, PCOS, or a transitional phase towards menopause.
• If the levels are below the reference range, it can be due to malnutrition or an issue in the pituitary gland's functioning.

Testosterone

Although commonly known as the ‘male sex hormone,’ testosterone is also produced in the female body, but in much smaller amounts. Despite its lower levels, testosterone plays an important role in maintaining several aspects of a woman’s health, such as:

• Supports reproductive health
• Enhances brain function and cognitive clarity
• Improves heart health
• Boosts energy levels and mood
• Regulates libido (sex drive)

Testosterone levels in women typically remain relatively stable throughout the menstrual cycle, with a slight increase around ovulation. However, during menopause, its level drops, causing low energy and signs of depression.

Testosterone Blood Test

Why Should Women Test for Testosterone Levels?

Though testosterone is often overlooked in female hormone test lists, its evaluation is crucial  when certain symptoms appear, such as:

• Menstrual irregularities
• Unexplained weight gain
• Fertility issues
• Development of male characteristics, such as facial hair growth, baldness, and heavy voice tone.
• Skin problems, such as acne, pimples, and pigmentation
• Mood swings and signs of anxiety

What do the Test Results Mean?

Unlike other female hormones, testosterone levels don’t fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle. It is usually measured in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) or nanomol per liter (nmol/L). The reference range of Testosterone is mentioned below:

• A low level of testosterone is usually associated with low libido or a sign of perimenopause. 
• Abnormally high levels may indicate a potential reason for PCOS or some types of cancers, such as ovarian or adrenal gland cancer.

Thyroid Hormone

The thyroid hormone is one of the most commonly tested biomarkers in the female hormone test list. Its imbalance disrupts the normal body metabolism, menstrual cycle, fertility, and women’s overall well-being. The thyroid hormone functioning is primarily determined by a group of 3 key hormones: 

Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH): Induces the thyroid gland to produce more hormone.

Thyroxine (T4): Inactive form of thyroid hormone that can be converted to the active form when needed.

Triiodothyronine (T3): The active form of thyroid hormone, responsible for regulating metabolism, energy levels, and essential body functions. 

Why Get Tested for Thyroid Levels?

Imbalances in thyroid hormones can lead to two common conditions:

• Hypothyroidism - Underactive Thyroid
  
• Hyperthyroidism - Overactive Thyroid
  

Each condition has distinct symptoms, and undiagnosed thyroid issues can affect your metabolism, energy, menstrual cycle, and fertility. If you experience any of the symptoms listed below, it's important to check your thyroid hormone levels through a home blood test or by visiting a nearby clinic. 

Know More: Complete Thyroid Profile

Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

• Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland in the form of a lump in the front of the throat)
• Constant fatigue or low energy
• Joint and muscular pain
• Unexplained weight gain
• Dry skin 
• Constipation
• Reduced ability to bear a cold environment
• Less sweating
• Slow heartbeat
• Fertility issues
• Anxiety or depression

Signs and Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

• Constant fatigue
• Goiter
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Hair loss or thinning
• Bulging eyes
• Irregular periods
• Uncontrolled weight gain or loss
• Increased anxiety, restlessness, or mood swings
• Sudden hot or cold flashes

Understanding the Thyroid Test Result

Thyroid functioning can be evaluated either by measuring TSH level alone or in combination with T3 and T4. The TSH level is usually measured in milli-international units per liter (mIU/L), whereas for T3 and T4, levels are measured in ng/dL and µg/dL, respectively.

The reference ranges are mentioned below:

The reference ranges for T3 and T4 are:

The self-interpretation of thyroid hormone test results is somewhat confusing. You must consult your healthcare advisor to understand the results. Your healthcare provider will diagnose your condition based on the levels of T3, T4, and TSH. 

How to Get Tested for a Complete Female Hormone List? What are the Options?

Getting your female hormone levels tested can be done either by visiting a diagnostic clinic or through the convenience of a home blood test kit. The method you choose may depend on your symptoms, schedule, or the specific hormones being tested. 

Visit a Nearby Laboratory

If you have a flexible schedule and prefer in-person testing, you can visit a nearby laboratory or healthcare facility. Hormone levels are typically assessed through blood or urine samples, depending on the type of hormone and the clinical symptoms you're experiencing.

Your healthcare provider will recommend the appropriate test and sample type based on your medical condition. For venous blood testing, a sample is collected using a small needle, usually from a vein in your arm. The sample is then sent to a certified lab, and results are typically available within 2–3 working days.

Home-based Testing

For women with busy schedules or those who prefer privacy, at-home blood testing is a convenient and reliable option. It allows you to check your hormone levels from the comfort of your home without needing to visit a clinic.

With a simple home blood test kit, you can collect a small sample, usually via a finger-prick method, by following the provided instructions. Once collected, the sample is securely sent to a certified lab for analysis. Results are typically delivered online within a few days, along with clear interpretations and guidance.

If you're looking for a trusted option, explore our Female Hormone Tests, which offer comprehensive screening for key reproductive and thyroid hormones, all from the convenience of your home.