Perturbations of the human menstrual cycle by oxymetholone.

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1975 Jan 1;121(1):121-6.

Perturbations of the human menstrual cycle by oxymetholone.

Cox DW, Heinrichs WL, Paulsen AC, Conrad SH, Schiller HS, Hezl MR, Herrmann WL.

The luteolytic activity of oxymetholone, and anabolic steroid, has been evaluated
in 10 women. Administration early in the follicular phase of the cycle inhibited
ovulation and prolonged the duration of the cycles in 2 of 3 subjects, but
treatment beginning on Day 10 (3 subjects) did not prevent ovulation, although
subsequent plasma progesterone concentrations were reduced. Treatment after
ovulation (4 subjects) suppressed progesterone levels by 50 to 80 per cent and
shortened cycle length by 6 to 8 days. Side effects were weight gain and
bromosulfophthalein retention. The most likely mechanisms producing these
perturbations are the inhibition of luteinizing hormone release early in the
cycle and, later, inhibition of progesterone biosynthesis.

PIP: 10 ovulating women were treated with oxymetholone in 1 of 3 ways: 1) 50 mg
twice daily every other day starting on the sixth day of the treatment cycle
(early follicular phase), 2) 50 mg twice daily every other day starting in the
late follicular phase (tenth day), or 3) 100 mg daily starting in early luteal
phase. 2 women treated in early follicular phase had ovulation suppression and
cycles prolonged 9 to 10 days, with progesterone suppressed by ovulated, and a
third had a 71% suppression of progesterone. In the third group, cycle lengths
were shortened due to a luteal phase shortening of 6 to 8 days, with progesterone
values decreased 53 to 81%. Side effects noted were: weight gain (9 out of 10
patients) transient nausea, and increased bromsulphalein retention.