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Open Access 01-03-2008 | Epidemiology

Lifetime cumulative number of menstrual cycles and serum sex hormone levels in postmenopausal women

Authors: Mariana Chavez-MacGregor, Carla H. van Gils, Yvonne T. van der Schouw, Evelyn Monninkhof, Paulus A. H. van Noord, Petra H. M. Peeters

Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment | Issue 1/2008

Abstract

Objective

Lifetime cumulative number of menstrual cycles is related to breast cancer risk. The aim of this study is to investigate the relation between this index and serum sex hormone levels in postmenopausal women.

Methods

Cross-sectional study including 860 naturally postmenopausal Dutch participants of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. Lifetime cumulative number of menstrual cycles was computed using questionnaire data on ages at menarche and menopause, number of pregnancies, breastfeeding, oral contraceptive use (OC) and regularity pattern. Measurements of hormones included estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), andostrenedione, testosterone, sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and dehydroepiandrostenedione sulfate (DHEAS). The relation between the lifetime cumulative number of menstrual cycles and hormone levels was assessed using analysis of covariance. Relations between reproductive characteristics and hormone levels were also studied. Adjustments for characteristics at blood collection included age, years since menopause, BMI, hormone replacement therapy use, OC use, smoking habits, alcohol intake and physical activity were done.

Results

Lifetime cumulative number of cycles was related with SHBG; participants in the lowest category had higher SHBG levels. For the separate characteristics, DHEAS and androstenedione increased significantly with increasing age at menarche, while androstenedione and testosterone decreased with increasing age at menopause. For the parity characteristics, SHBG levels increased according to the number of live births.

Conclusions

Lifetime cumulative number menstrual cycles was related only to SHBG. Therefore, free levels of estrogens or androgens may be related to this number of menstrual cycles estimate, reflecting lifetime exposure to ovarian hormones.

Available only for authorised users

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Title: Lifetime cumulative number of menstrual cycles and serum sex hormone levels in postmenopausal women
Authors: Mariana Chavez-MacGregor
Carla H. van Gils
Yvonne T. van der Schouw
Evelyn Monninkhof
Paulus A. H. van Noord
Petra H. M. Peeters
Publication date: 01-03-2008
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment / Issue 1/2008
Print ISSN: 0167-6806
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7217
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-007-9574-z

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Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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