ASSOCIATION OF DIETARY AND LIFE-STYLE FACTORS WITH SEX-HORMONES IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

We examined the relations between endogenous sex hormones and alcohol intake, dietary constituents, and life-style factors in a population b ased sample of 253 postmenopausal women not using replacement hormones . Estrone, dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), sex hormone-bindin g globulin (SHBG), and free and total testosterone were measured in se rum. Age and years since menopause were negatively associated with dih ydroepiandrosterone sulfate and positively associated with sex hormone -binding globulin levels. Higher relative weight was strongly and nega tively associated with sex hormone-binding globulin. Other factors wer e only very weakly associated with sex hormones. Since, except for wei ght, few potentially modifiable factors appear to influence these horm one profiles, it may be that behaviors earlier in life mediate hormone levels and subsequent disease risk.