TLDR Chinese women with PCOS have higher androgen levels, which change with age and weight.
The study investigated the androgen levels in 833 Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) aged 19-45 and compared them to a control group of 2732 women. Results showed that women with PCOS had higher levels of total testosterone, androstenedione, and free androgen index (FAI), with these levels varying with age. A negative correlation between age and androgen levels was observed in the control group, while in women with PCOS, androstenedione decreased with age, but total testosterone and FAI increased, especially in the 40-45 age group. After adjusting for body mass index (BMI), age was negatively correlated with FAI and androstenedione, and positively with SHBG. The study suggested that weight management is crucial for women with PCOS and recommended the use of FAI assays in China. A cut-off value of 5.9 for FAI was determined to diagnose hyperandrogenemia, with 1.9% of the control population potentially being diagnosed with PCOS using this threshold. The study's limitations included its cross-sectional design and the use of chemiluminescence for testosterone assays, but it was strengthened by its large, homogeneous sample size and nationwide scope.
71 citations,
July 2015 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Women with PCOS have higher androgen levels that decrease with age but are still higher than in women without PCOS.
271 citations,
June 2013 in “Human Reproduction” PCOS is common among Chinese women of reproductive age and linked to serious metabolic and reproductive issues, especially in obese women.
52 citations,
June 2013 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” The research found that anovulatory young women have higher androgen and hormone levels than those who ovulate, suggesting immature hormonal regulation rather than a specific condition.
19 citations,
March 2012 in “Clinical Endocrinology” FAI values above 6.4 may suggest high androgen levels and increased metabolic risks in Chinese women of reproductive age.
16 citations,
December 2010 in “European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology” Normal levels for certain hormones in Chinese women of reproductive age were identified.
666 citations,
September 1977 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Common baldness, also known as Androgenetic Alopecia, is caused by a combination of genetic factors and hormones called androgens.
April 2021 in “Journal of evolution of medical and dental sciences” Women with PCOS have higher levels of certain androgens, which are good at predicting excess hair growth.
6 citations,
June 2017 in “Reproductive Biomedicine Online” Chinese women with PCOS have higher androgen levels, which change with age and weight.
32 citations,
January 1990 in “Clinical Endocrinology” Women with female pattern hair loss have higher levels of certain androgens, suggesting increased androgen exposure to hair follicles.
