The antiandrogenic effect of flutamide improves uterine perfusion in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: To evaluate whether, by blocking androgen action, flutamide can decrease and normalize vascular resistance in the uterine artery in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design: Prospective and controlled study.

Setting: Endocrinological Centre of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Cagliari, Italy.

Patient(s): Twenty-two patients with PCOS were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to one of the following two treatments for 3 months: oral administration of flutamide (250 mg twice daily) or placebo.

Intervention(s): Doppler flow measurement of the uterine artery and serum hormone concentration determination during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle before treatment and during the third month of treatment.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Pulsatility index (PI) of the uterine artery before and during treatment.

Result(s): The PI of the uterine artery decreased significantly during treatment. No difference was found in patients treated with placebo. Correlation was found only between the PI values of the uterine artery and DHEAS.

Conclusion(s): The low uterine perfusion that characterizes patients with PCOS can be improved by the antiandrogenic effect of flutamide.