Serum levels of androgens and prostate-specific antigen in endometriosis

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of serum androgens and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in patients with endometriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with Stage III/IV (advanced stage) endometriosis were compared to controls with respect to basal serum levels of total testosterone (T), free testosterone (fT), androstenedion (A), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S), and PSA in the early follicular phase of menstrual cycle for this prospective case control study. RESULTS: Level of T, fT, A, DHEA, and DHEA-S were higher in patients with endometriosis when compared to control subjects, but the difference was not statistically significant. The mean PSA level was 0.0074 +/- 0.0120 ng/ml in patients with endometriosis and 0.0059 +/- 0.0056 ng/ml in control group and there was no statistically significant difference between groups (p = 0.58). CONCLUSION: Serum basal androgens and PSA levels are higher in endometriosis group with respect to control but the differences are not statistically significant.