Should androgen levels be measured in hirsute women with normal menstrual cycles?

Abstract

In a study of 129 consecutively referred hirsute women, 40% had regular menstrual cycles. About one half of such individuals had elevated levels of one or more androgens (DHEAS, testosterone or free testosterone index), whereas a higher proportion (69%) of hirsute women with oligo-amenorrhea were abnormal. Mean androgen levels in regularly cycling hirsute women were higher than in controls, but lower than or equal to those in oligo-amenorrheic hirsutism. Thus, menstrual status does not predict androgen status in hirsute women.