The LiveSure^TM FSH Rapid Test is designed to detect the presence of human follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in urine.  FSH is a peptide hormone produced in the pituitary gland of the brain.  It is normally present in the blood or urine varying in concentration with the stage of the menstrual cycle.  When estrogen levels drop, FSH is released from the pituitary gland indicating that a woman is either mid-menstrual cycle or is premenopause.  During early menopause, changes take place in the balance of hormones that regulate and control the menstrual cycle.  FSH normally regulates the growth and development of an egg.  Once this part of the monthly cycle is complete, FSH production is stopped.  As the body decreases estrogen production with age, more FSH is made.  Over time, these hormonal changes cause menstrual periods to stop completely and menopause has occurred.  During premenopause, levels of FSH may rise to positive levels then slowly return to normal, causing irregular or missed periods.  The testing for FSH, therefore, should be performed twice to help identify the levels of FSH throughout a menstrual cycle.  The LiveSure^TM FSH Rapid Test is a non-competitive, two-site sandwich immunoassay designed to detect the presence of FSH at a concentration of 25 mIU/ml or greater within five minutes.