The endocrinology of the menopausal transition: A cross-sectional study of a population-based sample

Abstract

In a study of the endocrinology of the perimenopausal years, levels of serum FSH, estradiol (E2), immunoreactive inhibin (INH), testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin were measured in a population-based sample of 380 women (mean age, 49,4 yr; range, 45.656.9 yr). Subjects were divided into women who reported continuing regular menstrual cycles (27%; group 1), a change in menstrual flow without a change in frequency (23%; group II), a change in frequency but no change in flow (9%; group III), changes in both frequency and flow (28%; group IV), and at least 3 months since their last menstrual period (13%; group V). After adjusting for age and body mass index, the geometric mean FSH inc..