The relationship between serum testosterone levels and bladder storage symptoms in a female population with polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between bladder symptoms and serum testosterone levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
A total of 140 patients diagnosed with PCOS according to ESHRE/ASRM criteria in two clinics were evaluated for the effects of testosterone on bladder symptoms. The effect of testosterone on bladder symptoms was quantified by self-administered pelvic pain and urgency/frequency questionnaire (PUFq) and an extra special question performed for urge incontinence. Ultrasonographic bladder capacity and postvoid residual volume were also recorded in all patients. Correlation between serum testosterone level and total, symptom and bother scores of PUFq, score of each question of PUFq separately, and ultrasonographic findings were analyzed.


RESULTS
The median (range) age, testosterone, DHEAS, estradiol, glucose, urine pH, urine density, ultrasonographic bladder capacity, and PUFq score were 25 years (17-40), 53 ng/dl (25-229), 258 µg/dl (92-645), 74 pg/ml (20-184), 81 mg/dl (62-128), 5.5 (4.8-7.0), 1.015 (1.001-1.028), 400 ml (100-650), and 2.5 (0-23), respectively. Significant positive correlation was found between serum testosterone level and total, symptom and bother scores of PUFq, symptom of dyspareunia, urgency, nocturia, and bladder/pelvic pain. There was no correlation between serum testosterone level and ultrasonographic findings such as bladder capacity, postvoid residual volume and symptom of frequency.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that women who have higher serum testosterone level are more likely to report bladder symptoms.
Department of Urology, University of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam School of Medicine, Kahramanmaras, Turkey. tskanat@yahoo.com
Tayfun
T
Sahinkanat
Ebru
E
Ozturk
Yelda
Y
Ozkan
Ayhan
A
Coskun
Hasan
H
Ekerbicer
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D014421:Turkey; D014463:Ultrasonography; D016482:Urinalysis; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
D001786:Blood Glucose; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol