A Prospective Longitudinal Study of Serum Testosterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate, and Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin Levels through the Menopause Transition 1

Abstract

The aims of this study were to describe, in relation to date of final menses, the average androgen levels of women in the years before and after this date, and to determine the extent to which these average levels were dependent on age and body mass index (BMI) and the degree of tracking in residual androgen levels, or the extent to which individuals above (below) the mean for their age or time relative to final menstrual period (FMP) and BMI remain above (below) the mean as time progresses. Serial levels of serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), testosterone (T), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were measured annually in 172 women from the Melbourne Women’s Midlife Health Project who experienced a natural menopause during 7 yr of follow-up. Fasting blood samples were drawn between days 4–8 if women were still menstruating or after 3 months of amenorrhea. The free androgen index (FAI) was calculated as the ratio of T to SHBG × 100. Means of the log-transformed androgen levels were analyzed a...