Which hormone does the Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) test monitor?

The Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) test is primarily used to assess reproductive health and monitor infertility, particularly in both men and women. FSH is crucial for the development of eggs in ovaries and sperm production in testes. Elevated or decreased levels of FSH can indicate various conditions affecting fertility.

In women, FSH levels can help evaluate ovarian function and diagnose conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or menopause. In men, it can provide insights into testicular function and possible causes of infertility. Therefore, monitoring FSH levels is an essential component in understanding and diagnosing infertility issues.

Other options, such as thyroid activity, adrenal function, and pregnancy, are associated with different hormones and assessments. Thyroid activity involves hormones like TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), adrenal function relates to hormones such as cortisol, and pregnancy tests primarily monitor human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). None of these are directly monitored by the FSH test, establishing infertility as the correct context for this specific hormone's evaluation.