Ovarian volume and antral follicle counts as indicators of menopausal status.
OBJECTIVE
Recent studies suggest that ovarian volume and antral follicle numbers may be sensitive, specific, and early indicators of menopausal status. The accuracy of these markers, however, has not been compared directly to more traditional markers [age and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels]. Thus, the purpose of this study was to test whether ovarian volume and antral follicle counts are more sensitive and specific markers of menopausal status than age or FSH levels.


METHODS
Premenopausal (n = 34) and postmenopausal (n = 25) women between 40 and 54 years old received a transvaginal ultrasound for determination of ovarian volume and antral follicle numbers, provided blood for measurement of FSH levels, and completed a questionnaire. FSH levels, age, ovarian volume, and antral follicle numbers were compared using t tests. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of each marker.


RESULTS
Postmenopausal women had significantly higher FSH levels (p < or = 0.0001), smaller ovarian volumes (p < or = 0.002), and fewer antral follicles (p < or = 0.002) than premenopausal women. Ovarian volume and antral follicle numbers had similar sensitivity (27.3-100%) and specificity (3.4-92.9%) in indicating postmenopausal status as FSH levels and age.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that ovarian volume and antral follicle numbers may be useful indicators of menopausal status.
Flaws
J A
JA
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21201, USA.
Langenberg
P
P
Babus
J K
JK
Hirshfield
A N
AN
Sharara
F I
FI
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010053:Ovary / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014463:Ultrasonography
D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone