How to increase luteinizing hormone: practical advice for healthy hormone levels

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is an important hormone for reproductive health and overall hormone balance. It helps regulate ovulation, menstrual cycles, testosterone production, and fertility. When LH levels are low, it can affect the body in different ways, depending on the underlying cause. In this article, we explain what LH does, what can cause low LH levels, and which practical steps may help support healthy hormone levels.

Table of Contents

• What is luteinizing hormone?

• Symptoms of low LH

• Causes of low LH

• Tips for increasing LH levels naturally

• Taking control of your hormone health

• Frequently asked questions about low LH levels

What is luteinizing hormone?

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a chemical messenger produced by the pituitary gland, a small gland in the brain that releases several important hormones and helps regulate many other glands in the endocrine system. LH works closely with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), to support reproductive health. 

People with ovaries:

• LH supports follicle development (which contain your eggs)

• LH triggers ovulation (release of egg)

• LH helps produce progesterone to support the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy

People with testes:

• LH signals the testes to produce testosterone, which supports sperm production, muscle mass, body hair, and a deeper voice

Children and adolescents:

• LH helps the ovaries or testes produce sex hormones for normal sexual development

Source: Cleveland Clinic, 2025; Cleveland Clinic, 2022

Symptoms of low LH

Symptoms of low LH can vary depending on age and sex:

• Newborn boys: small penis, undescended testicles

• Children/teens: absent breast development (female) or testicular enlargement (male), lack of growth spurt

• Men: low sex drive, fatigue, infertility, erectile dysfunction, reduced facial or body hair

• Women: low libido, fatigue, infertility, hot flashes, irregular or absent periods, decreased pubic hair, difficulty producing breast milk after childbirth

Source: Cleveland Clinic, 2024

If you experience symptoms it is important to speak with a doctor. They can help determine the underlying cause and assess whether LH levels may be contributing to your symptoms.

Causes of low LH

LH deficiency can be present from birth, or can develop later in life and can be generally classified as either hypothalamic or pituitary in origin:

1. Hypothalamic causes 

Stress-related hypogonadotropic hypogonadism can happen when severe stress, intense exercise, major weight loss, or high steroid/cortisol levels suppress the brain’s hormone signals, leading to low LH.

Causes of low LH can also include Kallmann syndrome (failed GnRH neuron migration/development), LH beta-subunit mutations (abnormal LH structure or receptor function), and idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (reduced or absent GnRH signaling).

2. Pituitary causes 

Pituitary causes of low LH can include tumors, hyperprolactinemia (tumor leading to excess prolactin; suppressing LH release), Sheehan syndrome (pituitary damage after severe childbirth bleeding), infections or inflammation, cerebrovascular accidents and trauma.

Source: Kazmi SRH, et al., 2023

Tips for increasing LH levels naturally

If your LH levels are low, the first step is to understand the underlying cause. Sometimes lifestyle factors may play a role, while in other cases low LH may be related to a medical condition. It is important to speak with a healthcare professional to determine the right diagnosis, treatment, or therapy.

That said, certain healthy habits may support overall health, including normal LH production.

1. Prioritize sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of consistent, high-quality sleep each night and create a relaxing evening routine to support healthy hormone rhythms.

2. Maintain a healthy weight: A balanced weight can help support normal hormone production and reproductive health.

3. Manage stress: Long-term stress can affect hormone signals, so regular relaxation, movement, or mindfulness can be helpful.

4. Exercise regularly: Moderate, consistent exercise supports overall hormone balance, but avoid overtraining.

5. Eat a balanced diet: Focus on adequate calories, protein, fibre, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals to support healthy hormone production.

6. Use supplements carefully: Supplements may help in specific cases, but they are best used with professional guidance.

Taking control of your hormone health

Healthy LH levels are part of a bigger picture. Your hormones respond to your lifestyle and your general health. Making supportive changes to your lifestyle can be helpful, but testing is often the clearest way to understand what is happening in your body.

Homed-IQ offers accessible, certified at-home hormone tests that can help you monitor key hormone levels from the comfort of home. With reliable testing and clear results, you can take a more informed approach to your health and decide whether further medical guidance is needed. To learn more about your LH levels, Homed-IQ offers a Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Test that you can take from the comfort of home.

Frequently asked questions about low LH levels

Can you get pregnant if LH is low?

Yes. Speak with a healthcare provider if you are trying to get pregnant and are concerned about your LH levels (Cleveland Clinic, 2025).

What LH level indicates pregnancy?

LH does not indicate pregnancy. Pregnancy tests measure human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the hormone used to confirm pregnancy (Cleveland Clinic, 2025).

Can diet really make a difference to LH levels?

Diet can influence hormone health, especially when someone follows a very restrictive diet, lacks key nutrients, or is significantly over- or underweight. For example, studies suggest that high-fat diets and fibre intake may be linked to changes in LH patterns (Negrón, A. L.,  et al., 2020; Gaskins, A. J. et al., 2012).

If low LH is related to nutrition, creating an eating plan with balanced nutrients may help support hormone regulation. However, if low LH is caused by an underlying medical condition, diet alone is unlikely to resolve the problem.