Testosterone concentrations in women aged 25-50 years: Associations with lifestyle, body composition, and ovarian status

While there is substantial evidence of the importance of endogenous and exo genous estrogen in reproductive health and chronic disease, there is little consideration of androgens in women's health, In the Michigan Bone Health Study (1992-1995), the authors examined the correlates of testosterone conc entrations in pre- and perimenopausal women (i.e., age, menopausal status, body composition, and lifestyle behaviors) in a population-based longitudin al study including three annual examinations among 611 women aged 25-50 yea rs identified through a census in a. midwestern community. Current smokers had the highest testosterone concentrations with decreasing values in forme r and nonsmokers (p = 0.0001). Body composition measures (body mass index, body fat (%), weight (kg), lean body mass (kg), and fat mass (kg)) were sig nificantly and positively associated with total testosterone concentrations in a dose-response manner. Hysterectomy with oophorectomy was associated w ith significantly lower testosterone concentrations. Alcohol consumption, p hysical activity, and dietary macronutrient intake were not associated with testosterone concentrations. This is one of the first studies to examine c orrelates of serum testosterone concentrations in anticipation of the growi ng interest in the role of androgens in women's health. The greater circula ting levels of testosterone in obese women and smokers suggest that testost erone concentrations should be considered in the natural history of disease conditions where obesity and smoking are risk factors, including cardiovas cular disease.