Gynecology · Tests & screening
Hormone Testing in Gangnam, Seoul: Which Tests You Need and When
Hormone testing is a set of blood tests that measure reproductive, thyroid and related hormones to explain symptoms such as irregular periods, acne, difficulty getting pregnant or menopause changes. At Hommage Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, OB/GYN specialist Dr. Park Yuna chooses which hormones to test, times each test to your cycle and reviews the results with you, alongside an ultrasound when needed.
Quick answer
Female hormone testing is a blood test, timed to your cycle, that measures hormones such as FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, TSH, testosterone and AMH. At Hommage Women's Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, female OB/GYN specialist Dr. Park Yuna chooses only the tests that answer your question, schedules FSH, LH and estradiol for cycle days 2–5 and progesterone about 7 days before your period, and explains the results with you, usually within a few working days.
Key takeaways
- The day of your cycle changes most reproductive hormone results, so timing matters.
- There is no one “full panel”; the right tests depend on your symptoms and goals.
- Hormonal contraception changes FSH, LH, estradiol and testosterone; do not stop it without advice.
- A single unexpected result is often repeated before any treatment decision.
Infographic
Hormone testing in numbers
FSH, LH, estradiol
Early-cycle baseline of ovarian function.
Before your period
Progesterone timing to confirm ovulation; day 21 only in a 28-day cycle.
AMH and TSH
Not tied to the cycle; prolactin and testosterone best in the morning.
Fasting, only if
Blood sugar, insulin or cholesterol are tested at the same time.
Average luteal phase
In 612,613 tracked cycles; why progesterone is timed back from your next period (Bull 2019).
Blood sample
A few minutes; an ultrasound can be added in the same visit.
Hormone testing at a glance
| Key fact | Details |
|---|---|
| What it is | Blood tests that measure reproductive, thyroid and related hormones |
| Hormones often tested | FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, TSH, testosterone and AMH |
| Timing | FSH, LH and estradiol on cycle days 2–5; progesterone about 7 days before your period |
| How it's done | One blood draw from the arm; fasting is usually needed only if sugar or cholesterol is checked |
| Results | Usually within a few working days, explained at a follow-up visit |
| Reviewed by | Dr. Park Yuna, OB/GYN specialist |
Hormone testing can help if you have
- Periods that are irregular, unusually heavy or light, or have stopped
- Adult acne, new dark hair on the face or body, or scalp hair thinning
- Difficulty getting pregnant, or plans to freeze eggs or delay pregnancy
- Hot flashes, night sweats or cycle changes, especially before age 45
- Milky nipple discharge, or fatigue and weight change without a clear cause
Seek urgent care instead if you have
- A positive pregnancy test with pelvic pain or bleeding
- Sudden, severe pelvic or abdominal pain
- Very heavy bleeding that soaks a pad or tampon every hour for several hours
What is hormone testing?
Hormone testing measures the chemical messengers that control your menstrual cycle, ovulation, skin, mood and metabolism. It is usually done with a single blood sample taken from the arm.
Many reproductive hormones rise and fall across the cycle, so a result only makes sense when the doctor knows which day the blood was taken. A hormone level is also a snapshot, not a diagnosis on its own. Dr. Park interprets the numbers together with your symptoms, cycle history and, often, a pelvic ultrasound .
Which hormones are tested, and what do they show?
The tests you need depend on your symptoms and goals. These are the hormones most often checked in women's health:
- FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone): drives egg development. A high early-cycle FSH can suggest reduced ovarian reserve or approaching menopause.
- LH (luteinizing hormone): triggers ovulation. A raised LH relative to FSH is common in PCOS.
- Estradiol: the main estrogen. It is read together with FSH, because a high early-cycle estradiol can mask a raised FSH.
- Progesterone: rises after ovulation. A mid-luteal level is the standard blood test to confirm that you ovulated.
- Prolactin: high levels can stop periods, cause nipple discharge and affect fertility.
- TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone): screens for an underactive or overactive thyroid, which can disturb cycles, mood and weight.
- Testosterone , sometimes with SHBG or DHEA-S: checks for high androgens behind acne, excess hair growth or PCOS.
- AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone): estimates ovarian reserve. See our AMH test page.
If your period is late, a pregnancy test (hCG) comes first, because pregnancy changes almost every other result.
When in your cycle should hormones be tested?
Timing matters most for FSH, LH, estradiol and progesterone. Count day 1 as the first day of full bleeding, not spotting.
- Cycle days 2–5: FSH, LH and estradiol, for a baseline picture of ovarian function.
- About 7 days before your next period: progesterone, to confirm ovulation. This is day 21 of a 28-day cycle, but later if your cycles are longer.
- Any day: AMH, TSH and, in most cases, prolactin and testosterone. Prolactin and testosterone are ideally drawn in the morning.
If your periods are irregular or absent, testing can be done on any day and repeated if needed, or ovulation can be checked with ovulation testing by ultrasound. If you use the pill, patch or ring, FSH, LH, estradiol and testosterone will not reflect your natural levels, so talk to us before stopping anything.
Which hormone tests do you need?
There is no single "full hormone panel" that suits everyone. Testing more hormones than you need can create confusing borderline results, so tests are chosen for a reason:
- Irregular or missed periods: pregnancy test, FSH, LH, estradiol, prolactin, TSH and testosterone. See irregular periods .
- Suspected PCOS: testosterone and other androgens, LH and FSH, plus blood sugar and cholesterol. See PCOS treatment .
- Planning a pregnancy or egg freezing: early-cycle FSH and estradiol, AMH, TSH and, if cycles are regular, a mid-luteal progesterone.
- Perimenopause symptoms: if you are over 45 with typical symptoms, menopause is usually diagnosed from your symptoms, because FSH fluctuates too much to be reliable. Testing is more useful if your periods stop before 40–45. See menopause treatment .
How do you prepare, and how are results explained?
Most hormone tests need no special preparation. Fasting for about 8–12 hours is needed only if blood sugar, insulin or cholesterol are tested at the same time. Before a prolactin test, avoid strenuous exercise and breast stimulation, which can raise the level temporarily. Tell us about all medicines and supplements, including high-dose biotin, which can interfere with some laboratory tests.
Results usually come back within a few working days. Reference ranges differ between laboratories and between phases of the cycle, so a number flagged "high" or "low" is not automatically a problem. A single unexpected value is often repeated before any treatment decision. Dr. Park goes through each result with you and explains what it means for your symptoms or plans.
Risks and limitations of hormone testing
A blood test is low risk. You may have brief discomfort from the needle, a small bruise, or feel lightheaded; tell the nurse if you have fainted during blood tests before so you can lie down. Infection at the needle site is rare. Call the clinic if the area becomes increasingly painful, red, warm or swollen.
The main limitation is interpretation. Hormone levels can be affected by the day of your cycle, the time of day, stress, recent illness, breastfeeding and medication, including hormonal contraception. That is why results are read by a doctor in context rather than against a list of "normal" numbers, and why online or at-home hormone kits can give a misleading picture without medical review.
Hormone testing at Hommage Clinic
Hommage Clinic is a women's clinic in Gangnam, a short walk from Sinnonhyeon Station. Testing is planned and reviewed by Dr. Park Yuna, a female OB/GYN specialist, and a pelvic ultrasound can be done at the same visit when it adds useful information. Because the clinic also treats skin, hormone-related acne, melasma or hair concerns can be planned alongside your medical care. You can see our othergynecology serviceshere.
Walk-ins are welcome during opening hours. If you are enrolled in Korea's National Health Insurance, hormone tests ordered for a medical reason are often covered, while tests done purely for planning, such as some AMH tests, may not be. Visitors without coverage pay the clinic's fees directly, and you receive a written quote before any test.
Timing explained
Female hormone levels across the menstrual cycle: when to test
The reason timing matters is easiest to see on a chart. In the first days of your period, estrogen and progesterone are low and FSH is starting to rise, so this is the cleanest time to read how hard the brain has to work to stimulate the ovaries. Estradiol then climbs as a follicle grows, LH surges to trigger ovulation, and progesterone rises from the corpus luteum in the second half of the cycle.
In a study of more than 600,000 tracked cycles, the first half of the cycle averaged 16.9 days and the second half 12.4 days, and only 13% of cycles were exactly 28 days long. Because the day of ovulation differs from woman to woman, progesterone is timed about 7 days before your next expected period rather than on a fixed “day 21”.
How hormones connect
How your hormones talk to each other
Hormone results are read as a pattern, not one by one, because the glands involved control each other. The pituitary gland in the brain sends FSH and LH to the ovaries. The ovaries answer with estradiol and progesterone, which feed back to the brain and adjust the next signal. Thyroid hormone and prolactin sit alongside this loop and can disturb it when they are too high or too low.
This is why, for example, a high FSH with a low estradiol points to the ovaries, while low FSH and LH with low estradiol points to the brain, as in stress- or weight-related missed periods. Dr. Park explains which part of the loop your results point to.
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
One blood draw can cover several hormones at once. Illustrative photo.
Test finder
Which hormone test for which symptom? A quick guide
This chart summarizes which hormones are usually checked for the most common reasons women ask for hormone testing. It is a starting point for your conversation with Dr. Park, not a menu to order from: she may add or skip tests depending on your history, and apelvic ultrasoundoften adds as much as the blood test.
| Concern | Usually tested | Related page |
|---|---|---|
| Irregular or missed periods | Pregnancy test, FSH, LH, estradiol (E2), prolactin (PRL), TSH, testosterone (T) | Irregular periods |
| Acne, excess hair, suspected PCOS | Testosterone (total and free), LH, FSH; sometimes AMH and prolactin; plus glucose and cholesterol | PCOS treatment |
| Planning pregnancy or egg freezing | Early-cycle FSH and estradiol, AMH, TSH; mid-luteal progesterone (P4) if cycles are regular | AMH test, ovulation testing |
| Periods stopping before 40–45 | FSH, estradiol, TSH; sometimes AMH and prolactin | Menopause treatment |
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
A result flagged high or low is not automatically a problem. Illustrative photo.
Home kits
At-home hormone test kits vs a clinic hormone test
At-home finger-prick and urine hormone kits are widely sold online. They can be convenient, and urine LH strips are genuinely useful for timing sex around ovulation. But a number without context can mislead: a kit cannot know the day of your cycle unless you test on the right day, whether you use hormonal contraception, or what your symptoms are. The 2023 international PCOS guideline, for example, recommends specific laboratory methods for testosterone and warns against using AMH as a single test.
If you already have results from a home kit or another clinic, bring them. Dr. Park can tell you what they show, what they do not, and whether repeating a test would help.
At-home kit
- Convenient; no appointment
- LH urine strips help time ovulation
- Timing and contraception often not accounted for
- No examination or ultrasound
- Results may need repeating in a lab
Clinic hormone test
- Tests chosen for your symptoms
- Timed to your cycle day
- Laboratory analysis with stated reference ranges
- Ultrasound in the same visit if useful
- Results explained by an OB/GYN
Evidence
Hormone testing: what the research and guidelines say
Hormone tests are most useful when they answer a clear question, and guidelines increasingly specify how they should be done. The cards below summarize points from the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for PCOS and from a large study of real-world cycles. Reference ranges still differ between laboratories, so results should always be read against the range on your own report.
Preferred for testosterone
More accurate than direct immunoassays when assessing high androgens.
International PCOS Guideline 2023AMH is not a single test
It can replace ultrasound for PCOS in adults, but not be used on its own to diagnose.
International PCOS Guideline 2023Average luteal phase
Compared with 16.9 days for the first half of the cycle, in 612,613 cycles.
Bull et al., npj Digit Med 2019Cycles of exactly 28 days
A fixed “day 21” progesterone test misses the right day in many women.
Bull et al., 2019Menopause is usually diagnosed without blood tests
In otherwise healthy women over 45 with typical symptoms, NICE advises diagnosing perimenopause and menopause clinically, and not using AMH, inhibin, estradiol or ovarian scans to do so. An FSH test is considered only from 40 to 45 with symptoms, or under 40 if early menopause is suspected, and not while on combined hormonal contraception.
NICE guideline NG23 (Menopause)Traveling to Seoul
Hormone testing in Seoul for international patients
If you are visiting Seoul for a short time, plan your trip around your cycle. FSH, LH and estradiol are best drawn on days 2–5, and progesterone about a week before your next period, so a single visit may not cover every test. AMH and thyroid tests can be done on any day. Most results return within a few working days, and Dr. Park can explain them in person or by message if you have already left.
Before you visit
- Message us by WhatsApp, KakaoTalk or the contact form with your travel dates and the first day of your last period.
- Tell us if you use the pill, patch, ring or hormonal IUD, and about any supplements, including biotin.
- Bring earlier hormone results and their reference ranges, and any ultrasound reports.
- Bring your passport for registration; ask about fasting if sugar or cholesterol tests are planned.
You receive your results in writing, with units, so your own doctor can compare them with future tests.
Hommage · Seoul
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
Seoul: the clinic is in Gangnam, a short walk from Sinnonhyeon Station. Illustrative photo.
Choosing well
How to choose where to have hormone testing in Seoul
Many clinics and online services offer “hormone panels”. These questions help you judge whether the testing will actually answer your question:
- Are tests chosen for my symptoms? A fixed panel for everyone often adds cost without adding answers.
- Is timing planned around my cycle? The day of the draw matters for FSH, LH, estradiol and progesterone.
- Does a doctor explain the results? Numbers need to be read with your history, not just a reference range.
- Can an ultrasound be added if needed? For cycles, PCOS and fertility, it often answers as much as the blood test.
- Will I get written results with units? Essential if you will continue care at home.
What affects the cost of hormone testing?
Cost depends on how many hormones are measured, whether specialized tests such as AMH are included, whether an ultrasound is added, and whether you are enrolled in Korea's National Health Insurance. Tests ordered for a medical reason are often covered, while tests done purely for planning may not be. You receive a written quote before any test.
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
Results are explained in person or by message, never left as bare numbers. Illustrative photo.
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
The blood draw itself takes only a few minutes. Illustrative photo.
Your visit
What to expect at your hormone testing appointment
01
Book with your cycle date
When you book, tell us the first day of your last period so cycle-timed tests can be scheduled on the right day.
02
Consultation
Dr. Park asks about your cycles, symptoms, medications and plans, then chooses the tests that answer your question.
03
Blood draw
A single blood sample is taken from your arm in a few minutes. An ultrasound can be added at the same visit if needed.
04
Results review
Results usually arrive within a few working days. We explain them with you and agree on next steps.
Your doctor
Dr. Park Yuna
Medical Director · OB/GYN Specialist
Dr. Park chooses hormone tests based on your symptoms and goals rather than ordering a fixed panel, and times each test to your cycle so the results are meaningful. She reads the numbers together with your history and, when helpful, an ultrasound before suggesting any treatment.
OB/GYN specialist (Korea) and representative director of Hommage Clinic. Leads the clinic's women's health care, from screening and infections to hormones, contraception and fertility checks.
Hormone testing: frequently asked questions
What day of my cycle should I get my hormones tested?
FSH, LH and estradiol are usually tested on days 2–5 of your cycle, counting the first day of full bleeding as day 1. Progesterone is tested about 7 days before your next expected period to confirm ovulation. AMH and thyroid tests can be done on any day. If your cycles are irregular, the doctor will advise on timing.
Do I need to fast for a hormone blood test?
Usually not. Most reproductive and thyroid hormone tests do not require fasting. If blood sugar, insulin or cholesterol are checked at the same visit, for example when PCOS is suspected, you may be asked to fast for 8–12 hours beforehand. Water is fine. Prolactin and testosterone are ideally drawn in the morning.
Can I have hormone testing while on birth control?
Some tests, yes. Thyroid, prolactin and AMH can be measured while you use hormonal contraception, although AMH may read somewhat lower. The pill, patch and ring suppress FSH, LH, estradiol and testosterone, so those results will not show your natural levels. Do not stop contraception on your own; discuss timing first. See our birth control guide.
Can a blood test tell me if I am in menopause?
Not reliably during perimenopause, because FSH and estradiol rise and fall from month to month. For women over 45 with typical symptoms, menopause is usually diagnosed from symptoms and cycle changes. Hormone tests are more useful if your periods stop before 40–45, to check for early menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency.
How long do hormone test results take?
Most hormone results come back within a few working days, because samples are analyzed by a laboratory. Some specialized tests take longer. We will tell you when to expect your results and arrange a follow-up visit to explain them, so you are not left interpreting numbers on your own.
Can foreigners get hormone testing in Seoul?
Yes. International patients and foreign residents can book hormone testing at Hommage Clinic. Bring your passport, or your residence card if you are enrolled in National Health Insurance. Please contact us before your visit to arrange language support, and tell us the first day of your last period when you book an appointment.
Why is progesterone not always tested on day 21?
Day 21 is only about 7 days before the next period in a 28-day cycle. Progesterone peaks about a week after ovulation, so in a 35-day cycle the right day is around day 28. Most cycles are not exactly 28 days, so the test is timed back from your expected next period.
What is a full female hormone panel?
There is no standard “full panel”. Commonly tested hormones include FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, TSH, testosterone and AMH, but which ones you need depends on your symptoms and goals. Testing everything can produce confusing borderline results, so tests are chosen for a reason.
Can hormone tests diagnose PCOS?
They are part of it. PCOS is diagnosed with the Rotterdam criteria: two of irregular ovulation, high androgens and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound or a high AMH in adults. Blood tests also rule out thyroid and prolactin problems that can look like PCOS.
Can stress affect hormone test results?
Yes. Stress, poor sleep, recent illness and intense exercise can change some results, especially prolactin and the brain hormones FSH and LH. If a result is unexpected, it is often repeated when you are well and rested.
Does biotin affect hormone tests?
High-dose biotin, found in some hair, skin and nail supplements, can interfere with certain laboratory tests, including some thyroid and hormone assays. Tell us about all supplements; you may be asked to pause biotin before your blood draw.
Are at-home hormone test kits accurate?
Urine LH strips are useful for timing ovulation. Other home kits can give a misleading picture if they are not timed to your cycle, if you use hormonal contraception, or if results are read without your history. Bring any home results to your visit and Dr. Park will explain what they show.
Which hormones affect acne and hair loss?
Androgens, such as testosterone, are the main hormones linked to adult acne, excess facial or body hair and scalp hair thinning. Testing testosterone, sometimes with SHBG or DHEA-S, helps decide whether hormonal treatment could help alongside skin or hair care.
References
Sources used for this page, reviewed by Dr. Park Yuna, OB/GYN specialist. Read our editorial and medical review policy.
- Teede HJ, Tay CT, Laven J, Dokras A, Moran LJ, et al. Recommendations from the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Hum Reprod. 2023;38(9):1655–1679. Full text
- Bull JR, Rowland SP, Scherwitzl EB, Scherwitzl R, Gemzell Danielsson K, Harper J. Real-world menstrual cycle characteristics of more than 600,000 menstrual cycles. npj Digit Med. 2019;2:83. PMC
- Menstrual cycle length variation by demographic characteristics from the Apple Women's Health Study. npj Digit Med. 2023;6(1):100. PubMed
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Menopause. NICE guideline NG23 — recommendations on diagnosing perimenopause and menopause. Recommendations
This page is general information and does not replace a personal consultation. Illustrations are original works of Hommage Women's Clinic, Gangnam, Seoul; photos marked illustrative are not of patients.
Related women's health services
AMH Test
A blood test that estimates ovarian reserve for egg-freezing and family planning.
Ovulation Testing
Ultrasound tracking and blood tests to confirm whether and when you ovulate.
PCOS Treatment
Diagnosis and long-term care for polycystic ovary syndrome, from cycles to skin and fertility.
Irregular Periods
Causes of late, missed or unpredictable periods and when to get checked.
Menopause Treatment
A care plan for perimenopause and menopause symptoms, including hormone therapy options.
Skin & Hormonal Changes
How hormones affect acne, melasma and hair, and skin care that works alongside medical care.
Find out what your hormones are telling you
Book an appointment with Dr. Park Yuna in Gangnam. Tell us the first day of your last period so your tests can be timed to your cycle.
Hommage Clinic · 4F, Building A, 509 Gangnam-daero, Seoul (near Sinnonhyeon Station) · Mon & Fri 10:00–20:00 · Tue–Thu 10:00–19:00 · Sat 10:00–15:00