title: Ovulatory effects of flutamide in the polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: The long-term effects and tolerability of flutamide (Flu) on the menstrual cycle and the ovulatory function of hyperandrogenic women with or without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were investigated. The study included 118 white women with the diagnosis of various forms of hyperandrogenism (80 PCOS and 38 non-PCOS patients). Patients received Flu for three years at dosages that declined each of the three years (250, 125 and 62.5 mg/day). Sex steroid, ovulatory function and menstrual profile at baseline and during each year of Flu treatment were evaluated. Flu therapy showed a significant increase in the percentage of cycles that were ovulatory (with progesterone concentrations greater than 4 ng/ml in mid-luteal phase) and concomitant regularization of the menstrual profile in PCOS patients. A luteinizing hormone decrease and an estrone, estradiol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone increase are also observed during treatment. Regular cycles persisted in non-PCOS patients. The results were maintained during the three years of treatment. The study suggests that Flu is a satisfactory therapeutic regimen of the chronic anovulation and the irregularities of the menstrual cycle in hyperandrogenic PCOS patients in the long run.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, S. Orsola Hospital, University Alma Mater Studiorum of Bologna , Bologna , Italy. roberto.paradisi@unibo.it
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Paradisi
authors: Raffaella
authors: R
authors: Fabbri
authors: Cesare
authors: C
authors: Battaglia
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Venturoli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005485:Flutamide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D005485:Flutamide; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone