WHAT IS A FEMALE HORMONE PROFILE TEST

A female hormone profile test offers important information about a woman’s health and helps determine where she is in her menstrual cycle, disclose fertility problems, or indicate that menopause is approaching. A blood test to detect female hormone levels can also help with the diagnosis of medical disorders such as thyroid disease or diabetes.

Estrogen is a hormone that affects several areas of a woman’s health, including bone and reproductive health. Estrogens are a class of hormones that play an important role in the development of a female's physical characteristics and reproductive functions, such as the breast and the uterus along with the regulation of the menstrual cycle.  

An estrogen test or female hormone profile test is a simple blood test that can detect up to three different kinds of estrogen-

1. Estrone or E1, the main hormone made by women after menopause

2. Estradiol or E2, the main hormone made by the women when they are not pregnant

3. Estriol or E3, the main hormone made by the women during the time of pregnancy

Estrogen tests are performed in the cases of-

Irregularity of periods

Trouble in getting pregnant

Vaginal bleeding after menopause

When puberty appears to be early or delayed

When you are biologically male but display female characteristics

Obesity, light or heavy menstrual bleeding, worsening premenstrual syndrome, lethargy, and a decrease in sex drive are all symptoms of high estrogen levels.

Estrogen test procedur

There is no need for you to do anything, in particular, to prepare for an estrogen test. Before the test, you should brief your doctor about all the medications and supplements that you take as they can

majorly affect the test results. Estrogen levels can be measured in blood, urine, and saliva.

For a blood test:

Blood samples will be collected from the veins of your arm into a test tube or vial. Your blood sample will then be tested in the lab.

For a urine test:

A 24-hour urine sample test is done where you are asked to collect all the urine passed in a 24-hour period. Your doctor will explain to you how to collect and store your urine and you will be provided with a container for the same.

Saliva test:

This test can be easily carried out at your home with the help of an at-home kit. Your doctor will instruct you on which kit to purchase as well as how to prepare and collect a sample.

Estrogen test results-

Estrogen levels that are considered normal or healthy vary according to age and gender. For women, pregnancy has a significant impact on estrogen levels in women. In addition to regulating the menstrual cycle, estrogen has an impact on the reproductive tract, urinary tract, bones, heart and blood vessels, hair, breasts, skin, mucous membrane, pelvic muscles, and the brain. The test findings can assist you in determining the reason for your symptoms.

Low E1 and E2 levels in women are due to -

Primary ovarian insufficiency is a condition where the ovaries of women stop working before the age of 40.

Turner syndrome is a condition in which a woman’s sexual features do not develop normally.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), is a common hormone disease that affects childbearing women. PCOS is the leading cause of infertility in women.

Menopause

Anorexia nervosa or eating disorder  

High estrogen levels occur with conditions such as-

1. Worsened premenstrual syndrome

2. Obesity

3. Fatigue

4. Loss of sex drive

5. Light or heavy menstrual bleeding

 Medications such as Clomid might induce a drop in estrogen levels whereas medications like Steroid hormones, phenothiazines, tetracycline, antibiotics, and ampicillin can raise estrogen levels.