The luteinising hormone , often abbreviated as LH, is a reproductive hormone in both women and men. It stimulates or boosts the production of other essential fertility hormones , such as progesterone and oestrogen in women and testosterone in men. Although the luteinising hormone is found in men and women, this post will focus on its role in the female reproductive system. Specifically, we will define the luteinising hormone, determine why you need it when trying to conceive (TTC), and how to increase the hormone naturally and with medical help. We will also outline a few tips you can rely on to track luteinising hormones from home and how Fertility2Family can assist you with this. Keep reading to learn more about how to increase your luteinising hormone.

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.

What are the normal levels of LH?

Luteinising hormone levels should typically measure 5-25 IU/L if a woman has a regular menstrual cycle. This range is considered normal. When you experience an LH surge, the levels of LH will rise dramatically, but the exact quantity and percentage of increase will vary significantly from one individual to another.

What causes the levels of LH to be lower than average?

Luteinising hormone levels are low whenever there is a problem with the section of the brain that controls the pituitary hormones. Disordered eating or malnourishment can also lower luteinising hormone levels.

What causes the levels of LH to be higher than average?

Unusually high luteinising hormone levels indicate that something serious is going on, like polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS ) or ovarian failure. Alternatively, the high LH levels could be caused by chemotherapy or recent exposure to radiation and genetic conditions like Turner syndrome .

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

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.