The expanded Female Hormone Panel (eFHP)

The Female Hormone Panel can be helpful for patients with:

- Irregular or painful periods
- Infertility or miscarriage
- Premenstrual syndrome (mood changes)
- Breast tenderness
- Water retention
- Uterine cramping
- Low libido
- Facial hair growth
- Acne
- Migraines or headaches
- Fibroids 
- Ovarian Cysts

Female Hormone Panel

The cycling Female Hormone Panel (FHP) is a simple, noninvasive test that measures 11 saliva samples that are gathered at specific time points throughout one complete menstrual cycle. The FHP provides a dynamic mapping of the active levels of Estradiol (E2) and Progesterone (P). In addition, the cycle average of testosterone and DHEA are measured. The expanded panel also includes FSH and LH in order to gain a more complete understanding of what may be contributing to your symptoms.

The expanded test includes Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) to deliver greater depth and insight to your test results.

Why use our Female Hormone tests?

Accuracy: research has demonstrated that the free hormone fraction predominates in saliva. In the blood, hormones can be found free or bound to proteins. The free hormone fraction is very important, because it is the bioactive fraction that most significantly influences living cells. One or two blood tests or a 24-hour analysis of urine for these hormones gives only a glimpse of the ovaries’ hormonal productivity.

Chronobiology: view ovarian capacity in a single snapshot reading, a paired comparative reading, or over a complete menstrual cycle. Flexibility: salivary testing enables measurements throughout your entire cycle to provide a more comprehensive look at hormone levels without the complication of blood draws

Simplicity: collection is noninvasive and painless Convenience: saliva samples can be conveniently collected from your home, office or other location. Requires no blood draws, therefore no repeat clinic visits, and avoids the inconvenience of the 24-hour urine collection.

Common applications of Female Hormone Panels:

Hormonal Imbalance and PMS – Many women suffer from hormonal imbalance in the estrogen to progesterone ratio. Our panels can define the hormonal state with exquisite accuracy which, in turn, provides specific insights for appropriate intervention to relieve hormonal imbalance and PMS-related symptoms.

Customized Nutritional & Herbal Therapy – Functional Nutrition can be better individualized to the needs of each woman because most current diagnostic tests do not provide sufficient data. Consequently, most women are treated without regard to their individualized physiology or specific needs. The DiagnosTechs Female hormone panel will allow your natural health practitioner to customize your hormone balance support plan that is designed specifically for you.

Detection of Luteal Phase Defect – There are at least three luteal phase defect patterns which are characterized by a progesterone/estrogen imbalance. This imbalance is usually associated with PMS, infertility, fibroids, and other hormone-related problems.

Is a female hormone panel right for me?

To determine if a female hormone panel is appropriate for you, consult with your healthcare provider. If either infertility or PMS are of concern to you, ask your doctor about the Expanded Female Hormone Panel. Our expanded panel not only reveals hormonal imbalances, but also accurately indicates the basis of the problem. Hormone balancing is reduced to simple scientific principles using our well-structured reporting and analysis.

The Cyclical Pacing of the Ovaries

Human ovaries release hormones in a cyclical manner, which is referred to as the menstrual cycle. The average cycle is 26-30 days. The timing and pacing of hormone release is governed by GnRH, FSH, and LH, hormones from the hypothalamus and pituitary glands in the brain. The two major classes of ovarian hormones released during the menstrual cycle are estrogens and progestogens, also known as the female steroid sex hormones. The major and most active estrogen released is estradiol, while the major progestogen is progesterone.

Functions of female sex hormones

Estradiol and progesterone affect several target organs involved in successful conception and pregnancy. Additionally, these hormones maintain a number of secondary sexual characteristics, such as reduced body hair, soft skin texture, a higher voice pitch, and release of certain pheromones.

Organs affected by estrogen and progesterone

The Uterus – Estradiol prepares the uterus for conception, produces a threefold to five-fold increase in the thickness of its inner lining, and also promotes uterine gland development and mucus secretion. Progesterone causes a swelling of the uterine lining, an increase in glycogen (a complex sugar) content, and an increase in the mucus secreted by the uterus. If conception does not occur, the uterine lining is shed, resulting in the menstrual flow.

Fallopian tubes – Sex hormones stimulate the Fallopian tubes to move the egg toward the uterus. The fallopian tubes also secrete fluids that nourish the egg, the sperm, and ultimately the embryo when fertilization occurs.

Vagina – Estrogens promote the thickening of the vaginal lining and increase its secretions, which makes the lining more resistant to infections.

Breasts – Before puberty, the breasts grow only in proportion to the rest of the body, but under the influence of estradiol and progesterone during puberty, the breasts develop to maturity. During the menstrual cycle, excess estradiol causes breast swelling and tenderness.

Bones – In the adult female, estradiol and progesterone improve the incorporation of calcium and magnesium into bone. This is often why doctors prescribe estrogen for menopausal women.

Kidney – Estrogens cause the body to retain sodium, which results in fluid buildup. Conversely, progesterone causes a loss of excess sodium and retained fluid. Before a menses begins, there may be a relative excess of estrogen over progesterone, which commonly leads to several of the PMS-associated complaints.

Liver – Estradiol has stimulatory effects on liver proteins which may reduce thyroid hormone availability and increase the risk for cardiovascular disease. Estradiol also slows the process of liver detoxification of various harmful substances.

Miscellaneous – Estradiol can elevate blood sugar in certain susceptible individuals. Progesterone can increase the appetite and has a general calming effect on the nervous system, especially at night.

Helpful Links and References

1. Inder WJ, Dimeski G, Russell A. Measurement of salivary cortisol in 2012 - laboratory techniques and clinical indications. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2012 Nov;77(5):645-51. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2012.04508.x. PMID: 22812714.
2. Streckfus CF, Baur U, Brown LJ, Bacal C, Metter J, Nick T. Effects of estrogen status and aging on salivary flow rates in healthy Caucasian women. Gerontology. 1998;44(1):32-9. doi: 10.1159/000021980. PMID: 9436013.
3. Günther V, Bauer I, Hedderich J, Mettler L, Schubert M, Mackelenbergh MT, Maass N, Alkatout I. Changes of salivary estrogen levels for detecting the fertile period. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2015 Nov;194:38-42. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2015.08.007. Epub 2015 Aug 17. PMID: 26319654.
4. Lu Y, Bentley GR, Gann PH, Hodges KR, Chatterton RT. Salivary estradiol and progesterone levels in conception and nonconception cycles in women: evaluation of a new assay for salivary estradiol. Fertil Steril. 1999 May;71(5):863-8. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(99)00093-x. PMID: 10231047.
5. Soundarya B, Massillamani F, Kailasam S, Jayashree G, Narmadha N, Sornaa N. Salivary Menopausal Markers and Oral Health Status - A Hidden Hook Up. J Midlife Health. 2022 Apr-Jun;13(2):157-162. doi: 10.4103/jmh.jmh_61_21. Epub 2022 Sep 16. PMID: 36276617; PMCID: PMC9583370..