Sex hormones and cortisol: what is included

In shortA reproductive hormone panel groups estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, LH, FSH, prolactin, and cortisol. The exact set and timing depend on the question being asked — cycle day matters for several of them.

What this panel covers

Sex hormones control puberty, the menstrual cycle, fertility, pregnancy, and menopause. Estradiol is the main estrogen; progesterone prepares the uterus for pregnancy; testosterone, though thought of as a male hormone, is present and important in both sexes. LH and FSH from the pituitary steer the ovaries and testes, and prolactin drives milk production.

Cortisol joins the panel from a different direction: it is the main stress hormone from the adrenal glands, with a strong daily rhythm — highest in the morning, lowest at night. It is measured when Cushing syndrome (too much cortisol) or Addison disease (too little) is suspected.

Timing is part of the measurement. Several of these hormones change across the menstrual cycle, so the day of the draw is recorded with the result; cortisol has its own clock, with 8 a.m. samples used as the standard reference point. A level that is abnormal on one cycle day can be normal on another.

There is no single fixed panel: the provider picks the combination for the question — cycle problems, fertility workup, suspected menopause, low testosterone symptoms, or adrenal concerns. The markers are measured from the same blood sample, and the report is read against age-, sex-, and cycle-specific reference ranges.

Markers on the panel

Estradiol Progesterone Testosterone Luteinizing hormone Follicle-stimulating hormone Prolactin Cortisol hCG AMH 17-OH progesterone DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S)Sex hormone-binding globulin Free testosterone

Why it is ordered

To investigate irregular or absent periods, fertility problems, symptoms of menopause, signs of low or high testosterone, nipple discharge, or suspected adrenal disorders. Which markers are ordered, and on which cycle day, depends on the clinical question.

How to prepare

The cycle day matters for estradiol, progesterone, LH, and FSH — the provider says which day to come. Cortisol is usually drawn at 8 a.m. because of its daily rhythm. Some medicines, including hormonal contraceptives, change the results and must be reported.

How to read the report

Each line is read against its own reference ranges by age, sex, and cycle phase — the ranges for progesterone, for example, differ tenfold between the follicular phase and pregnancy. The pattern across the markers matters more than any single value: pituitary hormones (LH, FSH) read together with the ovarian or testicular hormones they control show where in the chain a problem sits.

Several markers on your report?

See how MedProtect explains results in the app: the whole report, a check of the recognized values, and a clear breakdown.

Get your results explained See an example

Frequently asked questions

Why does the cycle day matter?

Estradiol, progesterone, LH, and FSH all change across the menstrual cycle, so the same level can be normal on day 3 and abnormal on day 20. The provider specifies the draw day for the question being asked.

Is testosterone tested in women too?

Yes. Testosterone is present and important in both sexes; in women it is checked when there are signs of excess, such as irregular periods or excess hair growth, and in men mostly for symptoms of deficiency.

Why is cortisol drawn in the morning?

Cortisol follows a daily rhythm, highest in the morning and lowest at night. The standard reference range is built on 8 a.m. samples, so an afternoon value cannot be read against it directly.

Sources

Estrogen Levels Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test — MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Accessed: August 29, 2026.
Testosterone Levels Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test — MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Accessed: August 29, 2026.
Cortisol Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test — MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Accessed: August 29, 2026.