Survey study, 2003
What hormone changes happen during the transition to menopause?
A study of 40 women aged 43–52 transitioning to menopause found that inhibin-A hormone levels were lower than in younger women, with the largest decreases in those who had stopped ovulating.
What they did
Researchers measured five key hormones in blood samples from 40 women aged 43–52 in menopause transition, 10 younger women, and 10 postmenopausal women.
What they found
In the menopause transition group, inhibin-A levels in the premenstrual phase were 24.7 ng/L compared to 42.9 ng/L in younger women. About 48% of transitioning women still showed normal hormone levels in the luteal phase. Women who had stopped ovulating showed much lower inhibin-A and inhibin-B levels.
What it means for you
Lower inhibin-A may mark early menopause. Main limitations are the small sample and single-country design, so findings may not apply broadly to all women.
40
women in menopause transition
24.7 vs 42.9
inhibin-A levels (ng/L), transition vs younger
48%
women with normal luteal hormone levels
About the study
- Original title
- [Study on serum inhibin concentrations in women during menopausal transition]
- Authors
- Zhang YW, Chen WL, Yu Q et al.
- Journal
- Zhonghua fu chan ke za zhi
- Year
- 2003
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 40
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12783698/
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