Subgroup analysis for assay type was statistically significant for spontaneous POI only .
Sensitivity analyses of high- quality studies did not change the results , and result ed in a substantial decrease in heterogeneity in spontaneous POI studies .
The current meta- analysis demonstrates that total testosterone concentrations are decreased in women with spontaneous POI or iatrogenic menopause .
BACKGROUND Increasing age and post-menopausal status are associated with decreasing and rogen concentrations in females .
Women with premature loss of ovarian function , such as primary ovarian insufficiency ( POI ) or iatrogenic menopause may be at increased risk for diminished testosterone levels at a relatively young age .
Differentiation between a hypo and rogenic or normo and rogenic state in women with premature loss of ovarian function is problematic due to trueness and precision problems using various testosterone assays .
The current meta- analysis was conducted to evaluate current literature reporting serum total testosterone concentrations under these conditions , including stratification for various testosterone assays .
Testosterone and visceral fat in midlife women: the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) fat patterning study.
Visceral fat ( VF ) increases with the menopause and is an independent predictor of the metabolic syndrome , diabetes , and cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) in women . Little is known about how hormonal changes during the menopausal transition are related to the increase in VF . We aim ed to determine the relationship between bioavailable testosterone and VF in middle-aged women at various stages of the menopausal transition and whether this relationship is independent of age and other CVD risk factors . The Study of Women 's Health Across the Nation ( SWAN ) is a longitudinal , community-based study . This report uses baseline data from a population -based longitudinal ancillary study at the Chicago site to examine the cross-sectional relationship between testosterone and computed tomography (CT)-assessed VF  in women at different stages of the menopausal transition . Included are 359 women ( 47.2 % black ) , aged 42 - 60 years , who were r and omly selected from a complete community census in which a 72 % participation rate was achieved . In multivariate models , bioavailable testosterone was associated with VF independent of age , race , percent total body fat , and other cardiovascular risk factors . Bioavailable testosterone was a stronger predictor than estradiol and was interchangeable in its strength of association with sex hormone-binding globulin ( SHBG ) . As bioavailable testosterone was associated with VF even after adjusting for insulin resistance , this suggests that it plays an important role in regional fat distribution . Our findings may have direct implication s in explaining the effect of menopause-related testosterone predominance on VF accumulation and subsequent cardiovascular risk
Subgroup analysis for assay type was statistically significant for spontaneous POI only .
Sensitivity analyses of high- quality studies did not change the results , and result ed in a substantial decrease in heterogeneity in spontaneous POI studies .
The current meta- analysis demonstrates that total testosterone concentrations are decreased in women with spontaneous POI or iatrogenic menopause .
BACKGROUND Increasing age and post-menopausal status are associated with decreasing and rogen concentrations in females .
Women with premature loss of ovarian function , such as primary ovarian insufficiency ( POI ) or iatrogenic menopause may be at increased risk for diminished testosterone levels at a relatively young age .
Differentiation between a hypo and rogenic or normo and rogenic state in women with premature loss of ovarian function is problematic due to trueness and precision problems using various testosterone assays .
The current meta- analysis was conducted to evaluate current literature reporting serum total testosterone concentrations under these conditions , including stratification for various testosterone assays .