Endogenous hormones, participant characteristics, and symptoms among midlife women.
OBJECTIVE
The primary aim of this study was to examine the associations between endogenous hormone levels and symptoms other than hot flashes in a sample of midlife women.


METHODS
Data from a community-based sample of 603 women aged 45-54 years who had never used hormone therapy were analyzed. Each participant completed a questionnaire to obtain data on demographic and lifestyle characteristics as well as symptoms, including headache, insomnia, vision problems, vaginal discharge and dryness, irritability, and incontinence. In addition, each participant provided a blood sample that was used to measure estrogen, androgen, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
Prevalence rates of symptoms ranged from 51.4% (irritability) to 18.6% (vision problems). In adjusted analyses, the free estradiol index (FEI) was significantly and positively associated with the reporting of insomnia (odds ratio (OR) 1.28; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.61). Further, higher SHBG levels were significantly associated with lower odds of reporting vision problems (OR 0.44; 95% CI 0.23-0.81).


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides evidence that hormones are associated with insomnia and visual problems during midlife. However, some of these results conflict with previous findings. Given the overall paucity of literature on these issues, more investigation is warranted.
Gallicchio
Lisa
L
The Prevention and Research Center, Weinberg Center for Women's Health and Medicine, Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21202, United States.
Schilling
Chrissy
C
Romani
William A
WA
Miller
Susan
S
Zacur
Howard
H
Flaws
Jodi A
JA
D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008593:Menopause / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology
D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin