Hyperandrogenism in oligomenorrhoea with minimal or nil 'unwanted hair growth'.

Abstract

AIM:

To detect whether oligomenorrhoea with minimal or nil 'unwanted hair growth' is a hyperandrogenic problem.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Fifty-nine women with oligomenorrhoea with modified Ferriman Gallway score (m FG) = <5 (Group A), 40 women with oligomenorrhoea with m FG score = > 6 (Group B) and 22 eumenorrhoeic non-hirsute 'control' women (Group C) were studied. Body mass index, Waist-hip ratio were noted during clinical examination. Serum testosterone, Sex hormone binding globulin, fasting insulin levels were measured in each woman. Free androgen index (FAI) was calculated.

RESULTS:

No significant differences were noted in the clinical parameters. Though serum testosterone levels were within the normal ranges in Group A and Group B, they were significantly higher than that of Group C. Groups A and B had significantly higher FAI values and fasting insulin levels than Group C. Between Groups A and B there were no significant differences in any of the androgenic parameters studied.

CONCLUSION:

Oligomenorrhoea without definite hirsutism is an androgen excess disorder. Definition of biochemical hyperandrogenism needs more clarity. Hirsutism is not a sensitive indicator of hyperandrogenism. The role of insulin in this type of hyperandrogenism needs further studies.

• Authors: Sudhindra Mohan Bhattacharya
• Journal: Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology (Gynecol Endocrinol) Vol. 25 Issue 7 Pg. 423-6 (Jul 2009) ISSN: 1473-0766 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19499416 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Androgens
• Insulin
• Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
• Testosterone

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Androgens (blood)
• Body Mass Index
• Female
• Hirsutism
• Humans
• Hyperandrogenism (complications, metabolism)
• Insulin (blood)
• Models, Biological
• Oligomenorrhea (etiology, metabolism)
• Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (metabolism)
• Testosterone (blood)
• Waist-Hip Ratio
• Young Adult