Influence of sex hormones in women on breast elasticity measured by shear wave sonoelastography – a cross-sectional study

Abstract

The physiology of breast depends on age, hormonal status, menstrual cycle, lactation, and others. The aim of our study was to evaluate correlations between hormonal status and breast glandular and fat tissue elasticity in healthy women. We examined 77 women aged 20–55 with shear wave sonoelastography and estimated their hormonal levels. There were no important correlations between breast elasticity, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen, prolactine, and thyroid hormones (p > 0.05). Androgens negatively influenced glandular to fat elasticity ratio (Rs = −0.25, p < 0.005). Luteinizing hormone to FSH ratio correlated positively with glandular and fat elasticity, especially in outer-upper quadrant (Rs = 0.24, p = 0.003).

Keywords:

• Breast
• androgens
• estrogens
• thyroid
• pituitary gland

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.