Effect of Finasteride on the Ovulatory Function of Normal Women

This study aimed to explore the in vivo role of 5a-reductase by administering the 5a-reductase inhibitor, finasteride, to normal ovulating women. Five regularly ovulating women were followed prospectively for three consecutive menstrual cycles each. The first cycle was the control cycle; the women were medication free. The second cycle was the finasteride cycle. The women took 5 mg of finasteride orally, daily, beginning with menses, for the entire second cycle. Hormone changes were as expected with an increase in T/DHT and P/DHP ratios. Possible alterations of gonadotropin secretion and follicular development were not observed in this pilot study, ovulation was unaffected.