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 .
Determinants of serum total and free testosterone levels in women over the age of 65 years.
CONTEXT Little is known about testosterone ( T ) levels and their determinants in women of late postmenopausal age . OBJECTIVE We describe levels of total and free T and selected factors that influence these levels in a r and om sample of older women . DESIGN Levels of serum total T and free T by microdialysis were measured using ultrasensitive assays in 347 community-dwelling women aged 65 - 98 yr enrolled in the Cardiovascular Health Study . Cross-sectional analyses were performed to define factors associated with total and free T levels . RESULTS In adjusted models : 1 ) total T levels declined with age until 80 , whereas free T levels did not vary by age ; 2 ) women with bilateral oophorectomy had 23 % lower total T and 16 % lower free T levels than those with at least one intact ovary ; 3 ) oral estrogen users had total and free T levels that were 47 % lower than never users ; 4 ) obese women had 47 % higher total T and 20 % higher free T levels , and overweight women had 24 % higher total T and 14 % higher free T levels , than normal weight women ; and 5 ) free T levels were 51 % higher in black women . Corticosteroid users had 75 % lower total T and 43 % lower free T levels than nonusers . CONCLUSIONS Bilateral oophorectomy , estrogen use , corticosteroid use , and low body mass index are independent risk factors for lower T levels in women aged 65 yr and over . Although highly prevalent in women of this age , the physiological significance of low T levels in late postmenopausal women requires further investigation
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 .