N 4 (189) 2024. P. 51–55

THE ROLE OF DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE IN THE FORMATION OF FUNCTIONAL HYPOANDROGENISM, ENDOMETRIOS AND WOMEN’S SEXUAL HEALTH DISORDERS

L. M. Semeniuk, Ye. S. Kozachuk, O. I. Kryzhanovska

Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Center of Endocrine Surgery, Transplantation of Endocrine Organs and Tissues of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
Municipal Commercial Enterprise “Kyiv City Maternity Hospital No. 5” of Kyiv City Council (Kyiv City State Administration), Kyiv, Ukraine

DOI 10.32782/2226-2008-2024-4-9

The study aims to evaluate the role of the DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone) as an indicator of female sexual dysfunction (FSD), in hypoandrogenism and endometriosis in women of reproductive age.

Materials and methods. Totally, 215 women of reproductive age were included in the study and were divided into 3 groups: Group A (n=114) – women with early pregnancy loss in the anamnesis with/without FSD; Group B (n=77) – women with FSD and hypoandrogenism with/without endometriosis; Group C (n=24, control) – healthy women. DHEA-S, free testosterone (fT), and estradiol levels were evaluated. The steroid hormones blood tests were conducted on the 5th to 7th day of the physiological or induced menstrual cycle.

Results. DHEA-S levels in group A women with FSD, corresponded to its deficit and were statistically significantly lower than those without FSD (p <0.001). In women with FSD, estradiol levels were statistically significantly lower (deficiency) vs. without FSD (normal ranges), p<0.001. The median levels of fT in group A without FSD were at optimal ranges, while with FSD, they were at deficiency ranges, p<0.001. Levels of fT statistically significantly correlated with DHEA-S (r=0.32; p=0.004), which was also confirmed by linear regression (adjR2 = 0.087; p=0.005). In Group B women with FSD +/- endometriosis, a significant difference in estradiol, fT, and DHEA-S values was not found: p=0.24, p=0.05, and p=0.05 respectively. In both subgroups, the average hormone values corresponded to: estradiol, fT – deficiency; DHEA-S – deficit.

Conclusions. The presence of FSD in isolated and combined forms with endometriosis is accompanied by a deficiency of estradiol, free testosterone and a deficiency of DHEA-S, which is clinically accompanied by a change in the structure of the mucous membranes, hypolubrication and dyspareunia. The diagnosis of androgen deficiency in women is of clinical importance, since the restoration of the physiological level of androgens is important for the prevention and treatment of miscarriage and disorders of a woman’s sexual health.

Key words: dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, female sexual dysfunction, endometriosis.

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