Serum Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Estradiol in Peri/Postmenopausal Women attending Siriraj Menopause Clinic: A Retrospective Study
Surasak Angsuwathana MD*, Prasong Tanmahasamut MD*, Manee Rattanachaiyanont MD*, Chongdee Dangrat MSc*, Kitirat Techatrisak MD*, Suchada Indhavivadhana MD*, Pichai Leerasiri MD*
Affiliation : * Gynecologic Endocrinology Unit, Division of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
Objectives : To determine serum levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Estradiol (E2) in peri/
postmenopausal women attending the menopause clinic.
Study
Design : Retrospective descriptive study.
Setting : Siriraj Menopause Clinic, Gynecologic Endocrinology Unit, Division of Reproductive Medicine,
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital.
Study population: Peri/postmenopausal women attending Siriraj Menopause Clinic from January 1994 to
December 2003.
Materials and Methods : Medical records of women who had a blood test for FSH and/or E2 prior to hormonal
therapy were reviewed.
Results : During a 10 year period, there were 116 eligible patients who could be classified into perimenopausal
(31 cases), natural postmenopausal (43 cases), and surgical postmenopausal (32 cases) groups. Age at
registration of perimenopausal (47.87 (cid:31) 4.38 yr) and surgical postmenopausal (48.06 (cid:31) 6.49 yr) groups
were younger than that of the natural postmenopausal group (55.74 (cid:31) 6.80 yr). The perimenopausal group,
who still had regular menstruation, was the youngest. The average FSH level of 60.46 (cid:31) 33.15 mIU/mL was
not different among groups. The estradiol level of perimenopausal (79.05 (cid:31) 83.62 pg/mL) and surgical
postmenopausal (63.05 (cid:31) 136.39 pg/mL) groups were significantly higher than that of natural postmenopausal
(25.05 (cid:31) 37.663 pg/mL) group (p = 0.001). Serum level of FSH or E2 was not correlated with age or years since
menopause. There was significant but minimal negative correlation between serum levels of FSH and E2.
Conclusion : Serum FSH and/or E2 levels are not accurate enough by themselves to rule in or rule out
perimenopause. The authors suggested that clinicians should diagnose perimenopause based on menstrual
history and age, without relying on laboratory testing.
Keywords : Serum FSH, Serum estradiol, Perimenopause, Postmenopause
