High oestradiol (E2) and low dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) levels are risk factors for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in men, but whether sex hormones are related to PAH in women is unknown.

Post-menopausal women aged ≥55 years with PAH were matched by age and body mass index to women without cardiovascular disease. Plasma sex hormone levels were measured by immunoassay.

Lower levels of DHEA-S (p<0.001) and higher levels of E2 (p=0.02) were associated with PAH. In PAH cases (n=112), lower DHEA-S levels were associated with worse haemodynamics (all p<0.01) and more right ventricular dilatation and dysfunction (both p=0.001). Lower DHEA-S levels were associated with shorter 6-min walking distance (6MWD) (p=0.01) and worse functional class (p=0.004). Each Ln(1 µg·dL⁻¹) decrease in DHEA-S was associated with a doubling in the risk of death (hazard ratio 2.0, 95% CI 1.5–2.7; p<0.001). Higher levels of E2 were associated with shorter 6MWD (p=0.03) and worse functional class (p=0.01).

High E2 and low DHEA-S levels are associated with the risk and severity of PAH in post-menopausal women. Hormonal modulation should be studied as a treatment strategy in PAH.