Luteinizing Hormone

LH (Luteinizing Hormone)

What To Think About

• If you are taking a medicine that contains testosterone, estrogen, or progesterone (such as birth control pills), ask your doctor whether you should stop taking it for several days before having a luteinizing hormone (LH) test.
• A woman can buy home ovulation kits at a drugstore to help identify the most fertile days of her menstrual cycle. They test for LH in urine with a dipstick or test strip. Other home ovulation tests that measure the amount of LH in urine and display the results on a small computerized monitor also are available.
• Other tests for ovulation include measuring basal body temperature, testing the progesterone level after ovulation in the menstrual cycle, and noting changes in cervical mucus. For more information, see the medical test Fertility Awareness.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: June 6, 2007
Medical Review:	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
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