Androgen excess in women--a health hazard?

Medical Hypotheses
Roland Rosmond

Abstract

A significant body of evidence suggests that androgens in women may play a role in the genesis of central adiposity and type 2 diabetes. There are two principal sources of circulating androgens in females: the ovary and the adrenal gland. In hyperandrogenic women, there are elevated serum concentrations of androstenedione and testosterone and, in up to 50% of the women, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). The androgen precursor DHEAS is of exclusive adrenal origin, suggesting that hyperandrogenic women have an elevated proportion of adrenal androgen production and secretion. Another cause of androgen excess in reproductive-age women is a decreased conversion of testosterone to estradiol by the aromatase enzyme complex. In this review, we will discuss the hypothesized clinical sequel of elevated androgens in women - an aspect of women's health highly neglected. Furthermore, an attempt is made to appreciate what causes the androgens to initially rise from normal levels, allowing the onset of pathophysiological processes towards diseases.

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Citations

Mar 27, 2007·Eating and Weight Disorders : EWD·M AskelöfB Edlund
Mar 20, 2014·Human Reproduction Update·Sofia MakievaJane E Norman
Jul 7, 2011·Journal of Immunoassay & Immunochemistry·Tulsidas G ShrivastavRita Singh
Aug 2, 2019·International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology·Violeta Lokaj-BerishaNaser Berisha
Nov 30, 2010·Journal of Immunoassay & Immunochemistry·Tulsidas G ShrivastavDinesh Kumar

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