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 .
Androgen levels in adult females: changes with age, menopause, and oophorectomy.
CONTEXT Changes in and rogen levels across the adult female life span and the effects of natural menopause and oophorectomy have not been clearly established . OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to document the effects of age on and rogen levels in healthy women and to explore the effects of natural and surgical menopause . DESIGN , SETTING , AND PARTICIPANTS A cross-sectional study was conducted of 1423 non-healthcare-seeking women , aged 18 - 75 yr , r and omly recruited from the community over 15 months . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Serum levels by age of total testosterone ( T ) , calculated free T , dehydroepi and rosterone sulfate , and and rostenedione in a reference group of women free of confounding factors . Women in the reference group had no usage of exogenous steroid therapy ; no history of tubal ligation , hysterectomy , or bilateral oophorectomy ; and no hyperprolactinemia or polycystic ovarian syndrome . The effects of natural and surgical menopause on sex steroid levels were also examined . RESULTS In the reference population ( n = 595 ) , total T , calculated free T , dehydroepi and rosterone sulfate , and and rostenedione declined steeply with age ( P < 0.001 ) , with the decline of each being greater in the earlier than the later decades . Examination of serum and rogen levels by year in women aged 45 - 54 yr showed no independent effect of menopausal status on and rogen levels . In women aged 55 yr or older , those who reported bilateral oophorectomy and were not on exogenous steroids had significantly lower total T and free T levels than women 55 yr or older in the reference group . CONCLUSIONS We report that serum and rogen levels decline steeply in the early reproductive years and do not vary because a consequence of natural menopause and that the postmenopausal ovary appears to be an ongoing site of testosterone production . These significant variations in and rogens with age must be taken into account when normal ranges are reported and in studies of the role of and rogens in women
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 .