Hormones play a key function in every stage of life. While everyone’s baseline hormone levels are different, having a reference for “normal” hormone levels means they can have more informed discussions with a licensed healthcare provider.
Key Takeaways
- Age impacts hormone levels in women. Progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen (estradiol) levels often decrease with menopause, while follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels often increase with menopause.
- Commonly reported hormone-related changes for women over 50 include irregular periods, changes in libido, mood swings, changes in bone density, night sweats, changes in weight, breast tenderness, vaginal dryness, and hot flashes.
- Everyone ages differently, which can impact hormone levels. Anyone concerned about their symptoms can speak to a licensed healthcare provider.
What are Normal Female Hormone Levels by Age?
Note: The following are average reference ranges only and are not diagnostic criteria.
Estrogen Levels (Estradiol Levels) By Age
Estrogen is a group of three sex hormones (estradiol, estriol, and estrone). Each form of estrogen plays a key role in female reproduction (particularly regulating menstruation), the development of secondary sex characteristics in women, bone health, heart health, and brain function. Estradiol is usually what people refer to when they discuss estrogen in the context of women’s health.
The “normal range” for estrogen for women by age is as follows, according to Cleveland Clinic:
- Reproductive years (premenopausal): 10 – 400 pg/mL (picograms per milliliter)
- Early follicular phase: 30 – 100 pg/ML
- Later follicular phase: 100 – 400 pg/ML
- Luteal phase: 50 – 150 pg/ML
- Perimenopause: Varies widely
- Menopause: 2 – 21 pg/mL
When estrogen levels are too high or too low, people may report the following:
- Commonly reported symptoms of low estrogen: Increased risk for osteoporosis, mood swings, and vaginal dryness.
- Commonly reported symptoms of high estrogen: Bloating, weight gain, heavy bleeding during menstrual cycles, and fatigue.
- Health conditions associated with “abnormal” estrogen levels/estrogen imbalances: Turner syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), breast cancer, and infertility.
Progesterone Levels
Progesterone, like estrogen, is what is known as a primary sex hormone, meaning it plays a key role in reproductive processes like menstrual cycles and pregnancy, along with other bodily functions like mood regulation and brain health.
The following are average progesterone levels for women by age, according to the University of Rochester Medicine and Cleveland Clinic:
- Childhood: < 0.3 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter)
- Reproductive years (premenopausal): 0.1 – 25 ng/mL
- Follicular phase: 0.1 – 0.7 ng/mL
- Luteal phase: 2 – 25 ng/mL
- Perimenopause: 2 – 8 ng/mL
- Menopause: < 1 ng/mL
When someone experiences high levels or low levels of progesterone, they may report symptoms like the following:
- Commonly reported symptoms of low progesterone: Irregular periods, difficulty sleeping, bloating, headaches, and infertility.
- Commonly reported symptoms of high progesterone: Often, there are no commonly reported symptoms.
Testosterone Levels
Testosterone is a sex hormone (specifically an androgen) involved in bodily functions like muscle health, bone health, libido, and energy.
According to Cleveland Clinic and LabCorp, average testosterone levels for women are as follows:
- Childhood: 2.5 – 25 ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter)
- Puberty: 15 – 79 ng/dL
- Reproductive years (premenopausal): 10 – 55 ng/dL
- Perimenopause: Varies
- Menopause: 7 – 40 ng/dL
Symptoms that women experiencing “abnormal levels” of testosterone may report include:
- Commonly reported symptoms of low testosterone in women: Increased risk for osteoporosis, decreased muscle mass, low mood, low libido, and concentration difficulties.
- Commonly reported symptoms of high testosterone in women: Symptoms associated with metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) like acne, excess hair, irregular periods, and a deeper voice.
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Levels (FSH Levels)
Follicle-stimulating hormone, or FSH, is a hormone that plays a major role in reproduction for both men and women. In women, it helps regulate menstrual cycles (including playing a role in estrogen production) and sexual characteristic development during puberty.
According to Cleveland Clinic, the following are typically reported FSH levels in women:
- Childhood: < 4 mIU/mL (milli-international units per milliliter)
- Puberty: 0.3 – 10 mIU/mL
- Reproductive years (premenopausal): 4.7 – 21.5 mIU/mL
- Perimenopause: Varies
- Menopause: 25.8 – 134.8 mIU/mL
Women with irregular or “abnormal levels” of FSH may report symptoms like:
- Commonly reported symptoms of, and conditions associated with, low FSH: Turner syndrome, androgen insensitivity syndrome, and primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).
Luteinizing Hormone Levels (LH Levels)
Luteinizing Hormone, or LH, plays a major role in sexual development and reproductive health, regardless of sex. In women, LH plays a major role in the menstrual cycle, triggering ovulation.
According to Cleveland Clinic and Medical News Today, the following are average reference ranges for luteinizing hormone levels in women:
- Childhood: 0.03 – 3.9 IU/L (international units per liter)
- Puberty: Varies
- Reproductive years (premenopausal): 1.37 – 9.2 IU/L
- Perimenopause: Varies
- Menopause: 19.3 – 100.6 IU/L
Irregularities or changes in LH levels may lead to commonly reported concerns like the following:
- Commonly reported symptoms of, or conditions associated with, low LH levels in women: Turner syndrome, Fragile X, and PMOS symptoms like irregular periods and infertility.
- Commonly reported symptoms of, or conditions associated with, high LH in women: Absent periods.
“Normal” Hormone Levels are Different for Everyone (and You, Depending on the Day)
Everyone has a different baseline for normal. In other words, what is normal or average for one person can look completely different from what it does for another person. What looks normal can vary not just from person to person, though; hormone levels can change for the same person depending on the month, week, or even the time of day.
That means simply comparing numbers on a chart alone cannot meaningfully diagnose any condition. Instead, knowing more about average hormone levels by age can provide a starting point for people to have open conversations with a licensed healthcare provider.
When Hormonal Changes Bring Discomfort
While changing hormone levels are normal at various life stages, “normal” doesn’t always mean “comfortable.” Anyone who is experiencing unwanted side effects of changing hormone levels can discuss potential treatments with their healthcare provider, such as the following popular options:
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is one treatment option that may be discussed with a healthcare provider.
- Hormonal birth control pills are sometimes prescribed for hormone-related concerns in individuals who still experience menstrual cycles.
- New medications like fezonlinetant (Veozah) that may address certain concerns but need discussion with healthcare providers and close medical monitoring.
- Some healthcare providers may prescribe antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline).
- Vaginal lubricants to ease discomfort during intercourse for postmenopausal women.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can address unwanted changes related to menopause.
Supporting Aging Women at Avista
Hormonal shifts are an unavoidable part of aging. At Avista Senior Living, we take great care to support the unique healthcare needs of aging women in our communities through diligent caregiver training, access to on-site and off-site care services, and individualized care plans that truly account for the variance of each person’s health.
FAQs
Does GLP-1 affect estrogen levels?
Current research does not indicate that GLP-1 medications directly impact estrogen levels. However, GLP-1 medications and estrogen may interact in the body together, with some research associating combined use of GLP-1 drugs and HRT with greater weight loss for postmenopausal women.
Can B12 supplements increase estrogen?
Vitamin B12 helps regulate estrogen in the body, specifically in helping the liver make use of and break down estrogen. There is no substantive evidence to suggest that vitamin B12 supplements increase estrogen levels in the body.
Why do estrogen/estradiol levels fall with menopause?
Estrogen levels (specifically estradiol levels) fall with menopause due to a decline in ovarian follicles. Ovarian follicles contain cells that are the female body’s main estradiol source; as these follicles decline with age, so too do the cells producing estradiol. As estradiol levels decline with menopause, the body makes use of other sources of estrogen like estrone.
Are there risks associated with high estrogen levels?
Women who experience higher levels of estrogen may report symptoms like mood changes, weight changes, period changes, and breast tenderness.
It’s important to remember that what is average for one person can be different for another, and anyone experiencing these symptoms does not automatically have a hormone imbalance. Anyone concerned about high estradiol/estrogen levels or unwanted symptoms can speak with a licensed healthcare provider.
Are there risks associated with low estrogen levels?
Women with hormone imbalances, like lower levels of estrogen, may report symptoms like irregular periods, low libido, fatigue, and vaginal dryness. These symptoms are not diagnostic criteria, so anyone concerned about low estradiol/estrogen levels can speak with a licensed healthcare provider.
Disclaimers: This article is for informational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice and cannot diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Please direct any health-related questions to a licensed healthcare provider.
