Effect of oral micronized progesterone on androgen levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the use of oral micronized progesterone (OMP) to induce withdrawal bleeding in women suspected of having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) alters circulating androgen levels.


METHODS
Prospective clinical trial.


METHODS
Academic medical center.


METHODS
Eight reproductive-aged women with PCOS.


METHODS
Blood was sampled before (week 0) and weekly after (weeks 1 to 4) the administration of OMP (Prometrium, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Marietta, GA), 100 mg in the morning and 200 mg before bedtime for 7 days.


METHODS
The levels of total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and androstenedione (A4) were determined in the blood samples.


RESULTS
In seven of the eight women studied, menstrual cycle intervals were >3 months, while one was eumenorrheic; six of the eight women had hirsutism (modified Ferriman-Gallwey score >7). Mean age was 28.9 +/- 10.4 years and mean body mass index was 33.9 +/- 4.7 kg/m2. The mean values of TT, FT, SHBG, DHEAS, A4, and 17-OHP did not change with OMP administration. However, a higher 17-OHP level was observable at the completion of OMP administration (week 2).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the administration of OMP (100 mg in the morning and 200 mg before bedtime for 7 days) to induce withdrawal bleeding in women with PCOS does not significantly alter circulating androgen or 17-OHP levels, and can be used to time blood sampling in these patients.
Woods
Keslie S
KS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35233-7333, USA.
Reyna
Rosario
R
Azziz
Ricardo
R
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D000728:Androgens; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D011374:Progesterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate