Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) helps stimulate the growth of ovarian follicles during your menstrual cycle. As you age, it’s normal to see an increase in your FSH levels. This is because, over time, the number of eggs you have naturally decreases. The FSH test measures follicle-stimulating hormone, one of the two gonadotropins your pituitary gland releases to run your reproductive system. In women it drives the growth of ovarian follicles each month; in men it supports sperm production in the testicles. This test measures the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in your blood. FSH affects sexual development in children and fertility in adults. Learn more. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) plays an integral role in reproductive processes. Doctors can test FSH levels to assess fertility, among other things. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a gonadotropin, a glycoprotein polypeptide hormone. [1]. FSH is synthesized and secreted by the gonadotropic cells of the anterior pituitary gland [2] and regulates the development, growth, pubertal maturation, and reproductive processes of the body. The process starts in your brain, where the pituitary gland produces follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). As the name suggests, this hormone travels to your ovaries and signals them to grow and mature an egg for ovulation. An FSH and LH test is a simple blood draw that measures two hormones produced by your pituitary gland: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a hormone that plays a role in sexual development and reproduction by affecting the function of the ovaries and testes. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced by the pituitary gland, a pea-sized structure at the base of your brain, and it plays a central role in fertility for both men and women. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is crucial for both men's and women's reproductive health and can be measured with a blood test. High FSH levels can indicate that your body is having difficulty producing quality eggs or sperm.