The relation of the gonadotrophin response to chlormadinone according to body weight in patients with amenorrhea due to polycystic ovarian syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the influence of weight on gonadotrophin response after chlormadinone (hydroxyprogesterone derivative) induced uterine bleeding in women with amenorrhea due to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

DESIGN

A comparative study.

METHODS

Thirty-six patients with PCOS were classified according to body mass index into three weight groups, normal, overweight and obese. Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were measured during amenorrhea and between days 3-5 after a chlormadinone (2 mg/day for 5 days) induced uterine bleed. Statistical analysis was performed with Wilcox-on test for paired groups and Mann-Whitney U-test for independent groups.

RESULTS

Overall LH, FSH levels and the LH/FSH ratio fell significantly (P < 0.001, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively) after chlormadinone administration. The LH levels decreased in all three weight groups, the LH/FSH ratio only fell in those normal and overweight subjects, and FSH did not change in any group. When comparing the group with normal weight and those with overweight and obesity no hormonal differences were found.

CONCLUSION

These results show that chlormadinone has an inhibitory effect predominantly over LH secretion which reduces the LH/FSH ratio, but this is independent of body weight.