LH, or luteinising hormone, is vital for female reproductive health. This hormone triggers ovulation by signalling the ovary to release an egg and starts the hormonal cascade that maintains a healthy menstrual cycle and supports early pregnancy. An LH surge indicates the optimal window for conception, providing essential information for planning your fertility journey. Reproductive medicine experts, including those at the Australian Society for Reproductive Medicine, agree that understanding LH dynamics is crucial for making informed fertility decisions. This guide explains how LH drives ovulation and regulates key hormonal processes, offering clear, evidence-based insights to support your path to conception.

Understanding the luteinising hormone (LH)

What’s the luteinising hormone or LH?

LH is one of the primary fertility hormones produced by the anterior pituitary gland . The luteinising hormone is essential in women as it is responsible for various processes linked to the menstrual cycle.

How does the luteinising hormone affect your fertility journey?

Regarding a woman’s fertility, the luteinising hormone is vital in three phases of the fertility journey. These phases include:

• Stimulating your ovaries to produce estradiol (E2) during the first two weeks of the menstrual cycle.
• Increasing around the 14th day of the cycle to trigger the ovulation process (ovulation will occur about 24 to 36 hours after an LH surge).
• Stimulating corpus luteum after you ovulate to aid in progesterone production and support foetal development during the early days of pregnancy.

Therefore, if you’re trying to conceive, it’s essential to monitor your LH levels regularly to predict the ovulation day and determine your fertile window so you can plan for sex accordingly.

LH Levels: Variability, Reference Ranges, and Clinical Considerations

LH levels vary throughout the menstrual cycle and depend on the timing of testing. In the early follicular phase, LH is low, then surges to trigger ovulation. Laboratories may use different assay methods, resulting in varied reference ranges, but these values are highly cycle-dependent.

Persistently low LH levels in the early phase may indicate suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Conversely, elevated LH outside the surge period could signal an endocrine imbalance affecting ovarian function. Clinical guidelines from the Endocrine Society and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine stress that serial measurements—rather than a single test—provide the most accurate insight into hormonal status.

Accurately interpreting LH results requires considering your menstrual history and other reproductive markers. If results consistently deviate from expected patterns, consult a healthcare professional to identify underlying issues and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

How to increase luteinising hormone

If you are trying to conceive or looking for the best way to boost the levels of luteinising hormone in your body, there are several options you can consider. This can be done naturally, with the help of a health care provider or a combination of the two options. Below are a few examples of what you can do.

Effective ways to increase the luteinising hormone naturally

Before seeing a healthcare provider assist in increasing LH levels, there are reliable solutions you can try out, such as:

Homeopathy

Homeopathy administers highly diluted substances to trigger the body’s self-regulation. Some patients report better reproductive health, but current clinical evidence does not confirm that homeopathic remedies effectively alter LH levels. Consider these treatments as complementary and seek guidance from healthcare providers when combining them with conventional methods.

Mind-Body Therapies

Mind-body interventions—such as meditation, guided imagery, and relaxation training—focus on reducing stress, which can disrupt hormonal balance. Evidence shows that regular practice lowers cortisol and supports a healthier endocrine response, indirectly aiding LH regulation. These therapies complement traditional treatments safely, though individual results may vary and should be monitored alongside other fertility strategies.

Ways to increase luteinising hormone with medical assistance

Conceive Plus Prenatal Vitamins

Conceive Plus Prenatal Vitamins provide a balanced blend of essential nutrients to support hormonal balance and reproductive health. This formulation includes bioavailable Myo-Inositol, Folic Acid, and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), each crucial for optimising fertility.

Myo-Inositol regulates cellular signalling pathways and enhances insulin sensitivity. Clinical studies show that Myo-Inositol improves ovarian function and oocyte quality, benefiting women with polycystic ovary syndrome. These effects promote regular menstrual cycles and effective follicular development, as supported by peer-reviewed research.

Folic Acid is a vital B vitamin necessary for DNA synthesis and cellular repair. Beyond reducing neural tube defects, Folic Acid maintains hormonal balance by supporting metabolic processes essential for fertility. Leading health authorities highlight its importance in preconception care and healthy embryonic development.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) serves as a strong antioxidant and key component in mitochondrial energy production. By reducing oxidative stress in ovarian cells, CoQ10 enhances egg quality and supports hormonal function. Scientific evidence confirms its role in improving reproductive outcomes through better cellular energy metabolism.

Together, these ingredients create an optimal environment for conception by supporting hormonal balance and enhancing ovarian performance. Consult a healthcare provider to determine if these supplements suit your health needs, ensuring supplementation aligns with current scientific evidence and personalised medical guidance.

Oestrogen replacement therapy

Oestrogen replacement therapy boosts natural oestrogen levels to regulate menstrual cycles and strengthen the uterine lining for implantation. It builds the endometrium, preparing the uterus for pregnancy.

Benefits:

• Regulates the menstrual cycle
• Enhances the thickness and quality of the uterine lining

Risks and Side Effects:

• Fluid retention and breast tenderness
• Mood swings and mild nausea
• Increased risk of blood clots in some cases

A specialist should manage this therapy, tailoring the dosage and monitoring your response to minimise side effects.

Gonadotropin Treatment

Gonadotropin therapy uses medications containing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) to stimulate the ovaries. This encourages the development of multiple follicles, increasing ovulation chances in women with low ovarian response.

Benefits:

• Promotes follicle development and ovulation
• Customisable stimulation plans with specialist guidance

Risks and Side Effects:

• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), causing abdominal discomfort and bloating
• Higher risk of multiple pregnancies
• Injection site discomfort and mood changes

Close medical supervision is vital to adjust dosages and ensure safety during gonadotropin treatment.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Injections

hCG injections mimic the natural LH surge that triggers ovulation. They are useful when the body lacks sufficient LH to release eggs naturally.

Benefits:

• Controlled and timely induction of ovulation
• Aids in planning conception with medical support

Risks and Side Effects:

• Redness or swelling at the injection site
• Risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) if dosed too high
• Mood swings and general discomfort

Always administer this treatment under close medical supervision to manage dosage and timing effectively for optimal results.

Monitoring LH Levels: Essential Guidelines

Accurate tracking of luteinising hormone helps identify your fertile window and effectively plan conception. Follow these essential steps for reliable insights:

• Consistent Testing Routine
  Test at the same time each day—ideally with first-morning urine—to reduce variability and establish a consistent hormonal baseline.
• Proper Sample Collection
  Follow the test kit instructions carefully. Proper sample collection is vital for reliable results.
• Clear Result Interpretation
  Compare your results to the provided indicators. A significant surge usually signals imminent ovulation.
• Record and Review
  Keep a daily log of your readings to identify trends. This helps confirm consistent cycle patterns and supports timely decisions.

Scientific studies show that consistent and accurate LH tracking enhances ovulation prediction. For personalised advice or to address uncertainties, consult a certified fertility specialist or healthcare provider.

Evan kurzyp

Evan Kurzyp

Evan is the founder of Fertility2Family and is passionate about fertility education & providing affordable products to help people in their fertility journey. Evan is a qualified Registered Nurse and has expertise in guiding & managing patients through their fertility journeys.