Trying to remember hormone levels....

Specialties Ob/Gyn

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Specializes in Birth center, LDRP, L&D, PP, nursing education.

in menstrual cycle, resulting in fertilization... I know progesterone stays up. What happens to luteinizing hormone? I know its important for ovulation-- but what about after that? I know it normally drops in a normal menstrual cycle. Does it drop in a gravid female?

We got involved in a discussion about it last night, on the floor, and I wound up very confused. :bugeyes: Thanks in advance

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

OK OB isn't my specialty, so I am going to tell you what I know for sure. LH rises when you ovulate. I don't think it stays elevated once you have conceived. However some women with primary ovarian failure have elevated LH levels. I am not really sure, but I think it drops during pregnancy. I have done infertility treatments and they never paid attention to the LH just estrogen and progesterone levels, and at the end of successful treatment progesterone levels, and HCG.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

LH spikes and then drops dramatically.

Menstrual_cycle.jpg

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Specializes in Birth center, LDRP, L&D, PP, nursing education.
LH spikes and then drops dramatically.

Menstrual_cycle.jpg

We had deliveries that kept us busy and then a long lull. I am not quite sure how this came up, but it was interesting.

I knew LH dropped dramatically after ovulation, but I didn't know if that was the case in fertilization too. Thanks for the insight.

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