Changes in estradiol and testosterone levels in postmenopausal women after changes in body mass index

Endogenous sex hormones are risk factors for postmenopausal breast cancer. A potential route for favorable hormonal modification is weight loss.

The objective of the study was to measure change in plasma estradiol and testosterone levels in postmenopausal women in relation to change in body mass index (BMI) and plasma leptin.

The setting was a cohort study of over 100,000 female volunteers from the general population, United Kingdom.

The participants were a sample of 177 postmenopausal women aged over 45 years who provided blood samples during 2004-2005 and again during 2010-2011.

Outcomes were percentage change in plasma estradiol and testosterone levels per 1 kg/m² change in BMI and per 1 ng/mL change in plasma leptin.

Among women with reduction in BMI, estradiol decreased 12.7% (95% confidence interval: [6.4%, 19.5%]; P < .0001) per kg/m² and among women with increased BMI estradiol increased 6.4% [0.2%, 12.9%] (P = .042). The corresponding figures for testosterone were 10.7% [3.0%, 19.0%] (P = .006) and 1.9% [-5.4%, 9.7%] (P = .61) per kg/m². For women with decreases and increases in leptin, estradiol decreased by 3.6% [1.3%, 6.0%] (P = .003) per ng/mL and increased by 1.7% [-0.3%, 3.6%] (P = .094), respectively. The corresponding figures for testosterone were 4.8% [2.0%, 7.8%] (P = .009) and 0.3% [-2.0%, 2.6%] (P = .82) per ng/mL.

In postmenopausal women, changes in BMI and plasma leptin occurring over several years are associated with changes in estradiol and testosterone levels. The results suggest that fat loss by an individual can result in substantial decreases in postmenopausal estradiol and testosterone levels and provides support for weight management to lessen breast cancer risk.