In women, what does high Lutenizing Hormone (LH) indicate?

High levels of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in women are primarily indicative of menopause or an issue with the ovaries. During menopause, the ovaries decrease their production of hormones, including estrogen and progesterone, which leads to an increase in gonadotropins (LH and Follicle Stimulating Hormone, or FSH) due to the body's attempt to stimulate the ovaries to produce more hormones. In cases of certain ovarian disorders, the feedback mechanisms can also cause elevated levels of LH.

In contrast, normal ovulation typically occurs when LH levels surge temporarily to trigger ovulation, and in pregnancy, LH levels generally decrease as the body relies on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) from the placenta. Ample testosterone levels are not specifically associated with high LH levels in females; rather, high LH may indicate dysfunction or aging in the reproductive system rather than an abundance of androgens.