Relationship Between Steroid Hormones and Metabolic Profile in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

    March 2019 in “ Physiological Research ”
    Ivica Lazúrová, Zora Lazúrová, Jana Figurová, Simona Ujhazi, Ingrid Dravecká, Jana Mašlanková, Mária Mareková
    Image of study
    TLDR Overweight women with PCOS have higher levels of certain hormones that could indicate a higher risk of heart and metabolic problems.
    The study examined 64 women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and found that those with a BMI ≥27 had significantly higher levels of serum free testosterone (FT), free androgen index (FAI), and estrone (E1) compared to women with lower BMI. These hormones were associated with a worse cardiometabolic profile, as E1 correlated positively with BMI, insulin levels, and insulin resistance, and negatively with HDL-cholesterol. Similarly, FAI was positively correlated with cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin resistance, and glycemia, and negatively with HDL-cholesterol. The study concluded that overweight or obese women with PCOS have higher levels of FT, FAI, and E1, which may predict a worse cardiometabolic profile. However, no significant relationship was found between dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) levels and metabolic parameters. Despite its limitations, such as the small sample size and lack of mass spectrometry, the study suggests that FT, FAI, and E1 could be markers for monitoring cardiometabolic risk in PCOS patients, especially those who are overweight or obese.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    6 / 6 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 12 results

      community C’est terrible - at my wits end

      in Female  444 upvotes 10 months ago
      A 29-year-old woman is experiencing gradual hair thinning since age 15, suspects Androgenic Alopecia, and has tried 5% minoxidil with little success. She has purchased various hair loss treatments including minoxidil, dutasteride, finasteride, and spironolactone, but is cautious about starting them due to potential interactions with her ADHD medication.

      community Female, 30, PCOS diagnosis, MPB Norwood 2. Endo refuses to give anything other than Spironolactone. Feel like I’m at my wit’s end here.

      in Female  57 upvotes 10 months ago
      A 30-year-old female with PCOS and male pattern baldness is frustrated with her endocrinologist's recommendation of only Spironolactone and minoxidil, feeling that dutasteride, finasteride, and progesterone would be more effective. Other users suggest various online sources for treatments, warn against self-medicating due to potential risks, and recommend seeking a specialized endocrinologist or considering additional treatments like Inositol, Berberine, and dermaneedling.

      community How does hair loss and recovery work?

      in Chat  12 upvotes 1 month ago
      Hair loss varies due to genetic sensitivity to DHT and other factors. Treatments discussed include finasteride, minoxidil, RU58841, and microneedling.

      community Why balding gets worse in every generation?

      in Chat  81 upvotes 3 months ago
      Balding seems to worsen with each generation, possibly due to stress, diet, and environmental factors. The user started treatments like Minoxidil and finasteride.