Open AccessHyperprolactinemia in Cases of Infertility and Amenorrhea
Author(s) -
Furuhjelm Mirjam,
Rydner Thure,
Carlström Kjell
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016348009154630
Subject(s) - medicine , amenorrhea , infertility , gynecology , female infertility , primary amenorrhea , obstetrics , pregnancy , genetics , biology
Of 17 patients with longstanding (3–15 years, mean 7.7 years) amenorrhea and hyperprolactinemia, 8 developed their amenorrhea after the use of oral contraceptives (Group I) and 9 became amenorrhoic spontaneously (Group II). There were no differences between the groups with respect ot the basal serum levels of FSH, LH, low polar estrogens (estradiol‐17β + estrone) and prolactin. Tomography revealed pituitary adenoma in four patients. One of these developed symptoms of her tumor during pregnancy; the symptoms disappeared after delivery. The other patients with tumors are checked twice a year and have not yet received any treatment. The patients with no detectable tumors were treated with bromocriptine starting with 1.25 × 3 daily. The peripheral serum levels of prolactin, FSH, LH, low polar estrogens and progesterone were determined once a week and if the prolactin levels remained high, the bromocriptine dose was increased. All these patients started to menstruate as soon as prolactin returned to normal levels (below 25 μmg/l). All patients who wished to became pregnant, i. e. 6 patients. Three were delivered by cesarean section, one had a normal delivery and two are still pregnant. There was no difference between Group I and Group II in the dose required or in the duration of treatment before menstruation started. Three cases of galactorrhea were found.