Hyperandrogenemia in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Prevalence, Characteristics, and Association with Body Mass Index

January 2017 in “ Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation ”

Eleni Alexiou, Erifili Hatziagelaki, Vasilios Pergialiotis, Charalampos Chrelias, Dimitrios Kassanos, Charalampos Siristatidis, Giannoula Kyrkou, Maria Kreatsa, Eftihios Trakakis

hyperandrogenemia polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS testosterone free testosterone androstenedione 17-hydroxyprogesterone DHEAS cortisol HOMA-IR white blood cells neutrophils T FT A4-A 17-OHP WBC

TLDR High levels of male hormones are very common in women with PCOS and affect their metabolism differently depending on their weight.

The 2017 study examined 266 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to determine the prevalence of hyperandrogenemia and its relationship with body mass index (BMI). Hyperandrogenemia was present in 78.2% of the participants, with elevated levels of testosterone (T), free testosterone (FT), and androstenedione (A4-A) being common. The study found that hyperandrogenemia was associated with different metabolic profiles depending on BMI. In women with a BMI ≤ 25 kg/m², hyperandrogenemia was linked to lower hip circumference and HOMA-IR, and higher levels of T, FT, A4-A, 17-OHP, DHEAS, WBC, and neutrophils. Overweight women with hyperandrogenemia had higher levels of T, FT, A4-A, 17-OHP, DHEAS, and cortisol, but similar TSH levels compared to those without hyperandrogenemia. The study concluded that hyperandrogenemia is highly prevalent in women with PCOS and significantly affects metabolic parameters differently based on BMI.

View this study on degruyter.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

9 / 9 results

research The Prevalence and Phenotypic Features of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

767 citations, September 2016 in “Human Reproduction”

Polycystic ovary syndrome affects about 6-10% of women, with varying symptoms and the need for standardized global definitions.

research Androgen Excess: Investigations and Management

82 citations, May 2016 in “Best Practice & Research in Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology”

The conclusion is that managing androgen excess requires long-term treatment, including hormonal contraceptives and androgen blockers, with follow-up after six months.

research Cutaneous Findings and Systemic Associations in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

53 citations, December 2015 in “JAMA Dermatology”

Women with PCOS often have more body hair, acne, and skin darkening, and these signs are linked to metabolic issues like insulin resistance and high cholesterol.

research Androgen Profile Through Life in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Nordic Multicenter Collaboration Study

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.

research Elevated Serum Androstenedione Is Associated With a More Severe Phenotype in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

28 citations, April 2014 in “Hormones”

Higher androstenedione levels in women with PCOS are linked to more severe symptoms.

research Cutaneous Manifestations of the Subtypes of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Korean Patients

16 citations, March 2014 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Korean patients with PCOS often have skin problems like acne and excess hair, with different symptoms based on their specific PCOS type.

Prevalence of Androgenic Alopecia in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Characterization of Associated Clinical and Biochemical Features

research Prevalence of Androgenic Alopecia in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Characterization of Associated Clinical and Biochemical Features

48 citations, February 2014 in “Fertility and Sterility”

Women with PCOS often have hair loss, which is linked to acne or excess body hair but not to worse hormone or metabolic issues.

The Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in a Normal Population According to the Rotterdam Criteria Versus Revised Criteria Including Anti-Mullerian Hormone

research The Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in a Normal Population According to the Rotterdam Criteria Versus Revised Criteria Including Anti-Mullerian Hormone

221 citations, January 2014 in “Human Reproduction”

Adding anti-Müllerian hormone to PCOS criteria lowers the number of women diagnosed.

research Prevalence of Hyperandrogenemia in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Diagnosed by the National Institutes of Health 1990 Criteria

118 citations, February 2009 in “Fertility and Sterility”

Most women with PCOS have high levels of male hormones, and free testosterone is the best marker for this.

Similar Research

6 / 936 results

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Special Diagnostic and Therapeutic Considerations for Children

12 citations, March 2015 in “Pediatric Dermatology”

Early diagnosis and treatment of PCOS in young people is important to prevent long-term health problems.

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Etiology, Pathogenesis, and Diagnosis

991 citations, January 2011 in “Nature Reviews Endocrinology”

The document concludes that PCOS is a complex disorder caused by both genetic and environmental factors, affecting women's health in various ways, and requires personalized treatment.

research The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Position Statement from the European Society of Endocrinology

467 citations, October 2014 in “European Journal of Endocrinology”

The European Society of Endocrinology advises individualized long-term management for PCOS, focusing on lifestyle changes, accurate diagnosis, and treatments for associated health risks and symptoms.

research The Influence of Obesity on Androstenedione to Testosterone Ratio in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Hyperandrogenemia

15 citations, October 2011 in “Gynecological Endocrinology”

Obesity changes androgen levels in women with PCOS, leading to higher testosterone relative to androstenedione.

Receiver Operating Characteristic Analysis of the Performance of Basal Serum Hormone Profiles for the Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Epidemiological Studies

research Receiver Operating Characteristic Analysis of the Performance of Basal Serum Hormone Profiles for the Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Epidemiological Studies

66 citations, November 2001 in “European journal of endocrinology”

Low SHBG and high FAI, FT, and DHEAS levels are effective in identifying PCOS.

research Epidemiological Assessment of Testosterone Levels in Women: A Factorial Analysis of Cell Proliferation

2 citations, January 2018 in “Biology and medicine”

High testosterone levels in 20% of the women studied may indicate PCOS, while 80% had low levels with potential health impacts.