Early follicular phase hormone levels in relation to patterns of alcohol, tobacco, and coffee use

Objective: To examine the effects of alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco use on early follicular phase FSH, LH, E-2, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG ). Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Academic medical center. Patient(s): Four hundred ninety-eight women selected from the general popul ation, ages 36-45, who were not currently pregnant, breast feeding, or usin g exogenous hormones. Intervention(s): A general questionnaire assessing demography, anthropometr y, and smoking habits and a standardized dietary questionnaire assessing fo od and beverage frequencies, including sources of alcohol and caffeine. Main Outcome Measures: FSH, LH, E-2, and SHBG levels measured during the ea rly follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Result(s): Significant associations observed in a univariate analysis inclu ded age greater than or equal to 40 and current smoking associated with hig her FSH; higher body mass index (BMI) associated with lower SHBG levels; an d daily alcohol use, cholesterol consumption greater than the median, and c offee use >1 cup/d associated with higher E-2 levels. In a multivariate mod el, total caffeine use was significantly associated with E-2 levels after a djustment for age, BMI, total calories, current smoking, alcohol, cholester ol consumption, and day of sampling. Early follicular phase E-2 increased f rom 28.2 pg/mL for women consuming less than or equal to 100 mg of caffeine to 45.2 pg/mL for women consuming greater than or equal to 500 mg of caffe ine per day, about a 70% increase. Conclusion(s): Coffee consumption and total caffeine use may increase early follicular phase E-2 levels independent of related habits of alcohol or to bacco use. (Fertil Steril(R) 2001;76:723-9. (C) 2001 by American Society fo r Reproductive Medicine.).