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 .
Relation of demographic factors, menstrual history, reproduction and medication use to sex hormone levels in postmenopausal women
In postmenopausal women , levels of estrogens , and rogens , and perhaps prolactin have been related to risk of breast and other hormonal cancers in women . However , the determinants of these hormone concentrations have not been firmly established . Associations among various demographic , menstrual , and reproductive factors , medication use and endogenous sex hormone concentrations ( estradiol , free estradiol , estrone , estrone sulfate , testosterone , free testosterone , sex hormone binding globulin , and rostenedione , dehydroepi and rosterone ( DHEA ) , DHEA sulfate ( DHEAS ) , dihydrotestosterone , and prolactin )  were evaluated in a cross-sectional analysis from a simple r and om sample of 274 postmenopausal women selected from the Women ’s Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial . In multiple regression analyses on log-transformed hormones , the concentrations of DHEA , and DHEAS were negatively and statistically significantly associated with age ( both β = −0.03 , P < 0.001 , respectively ) . Estradiol , estrone , DHEA , and free testosterone concentrations were higher in African-American than in non-Hispanic White women , but after multivariate adjustment the associations were statistically significant only for free testosterone ( β = 0.38 , P = 0.01 ) . Women who had a history of bilateral oophorectomy had a mean 35 % lower testosterone concentration compared with women with at least one ovary remaining ( β = −0.43 , P = 0.002 ) , and lower free testosterone ( β = −0.42 , P = 0.04 ) after multivariate adjustment . Women who reported regular use of NSAIDs had higher DHEA concentrations ( β = 0.20 , P = 0.04 ) and lower prolactin concentrations ( β = −0.18 , P = 0.02 ) compared with non-users . These results suggest that while age , oophorectomy status , and NSAID use may be associated with selected sex hormone concentrations , few menstrual or reproductive factors affect endogenous sex hormones in the postmenopausal period
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 .