[Levels of estradiol and serum testosterone in healthy postmenopausal women and its relationship with symptoms].

BACKGROUND

Several studies have tried to evaluate in which estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) levels the climacteric symptoms appear, but this has not been possible at all.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate in which E2 and T levels climacteric symptoms appear, as well as its relation with T/E2 ratio.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty nine healthy climacteric women [perimenopausal (n = 13) or postmenopausal (n = 16)] which have not received nor were receiving hormone therapy were studied. Age, body mass index, waist hip ratio and menstrual status were documented. An analog visual scale was used to evaluate the intensity of 13 climacteric symptoms. A blood sample was taken for the measurement of E2 and T measurement by radioimmunoassay. Pearson's correlation analysis was done between the sum of scores of all climacteric symptoms and with the score obtained from each of the climacteric symptoms and E2, T levels and T/E2 ratio. All patients gave their consent to participate in the study.

RESULTS

The average age of women was 49.9 +/- 5.1 years and the time since menopause 43.9 +/- 53.2 months. The sum of the magnitudes of the symptoms was 71.2 +/- 24.9. The average level of E2 and T was 65.5 +/- 101.1 pg/ml and 14.5 +/- 10.7 ng/ml respectively. No correlation was observed between the sum of the magnitudes of the symptoms neither with the magnitude of each symptom with E2 and T levels and T/E2 ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

It was not possible to determine with precision in which E2 and T levels climacteric symptoms appear and T/E2 ratio also was not useful for this purpose.