What it means
A hormone made by the pituitary glandpih-TOO-ih-tair-ee glandA gland the size of a pea, hanging below the brain, whose hormones control many other glands.Full entry . In women it makes follicles in the ovaries grow and mature an egg; in men it helps the testes make sperm. Along with luteinizing hormone (LH), it controls the menstrual cycle. FSH levels rise at menopause, when the ovaries stop responding, and it is measured in tests of fertility.
At a glance
| Also written | follicle-stimulating hormone, follicle stimulating hormone |
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Related terms
menopause
The time in a woman's life when menstrual periods stop for good, counted once there has been no period for 12 months in a row.
pituitary gland
A gland the size of a pea, hanging below the brain, whose hormones control many other glands.
ovulation
The release of a mature egg from an ovary, usually once in each menstrual cycle.
luteinizing hormone
A hormone from the pituitary gland that triggers ovulation in women and testosterone production in men.
gonad
A sex gland: an ovary or a testis, which makes eggs or sperm and sex hormones.