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. 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. 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 a type of gonadotropin synthesized and secreted by the pituitary gland, a gland located at the base of the brain. Its function is to regulate the reproductive cycle in both sexes: stimulates the production of spermatozoa (spermatogenesis). 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. What FSH level indicates menopause? This complete guide covers FSH ranges by stage, and what you can do to support your body as FSH rises. 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) plays an integral role in reproductive processes. Doctors can test FSH levels to assess fertility, among other things. 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. The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test looks at how much of this hormone you have through a blood or urine test. FSH helps both men and women in reproduction.