The prevalence of hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding.

BACKGROUND

Abnormal uterine bleeding is one of the most common gynecological problems in women aged 15-45 years. The relationship of hyperprolactinemia with reproductive disorders, amenorrhea and irregular menstrual cycles has been known. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea in 15-45-year-old females with abnormal uterine bleeding.

METHODS

This analytic descriptive study was carried out on 100 women referred to a gynecology clinic for vaginal bleeding without any organic disorder. Consecutive sampling was performed.

RESULTS

Among the cases 61% had hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea was reported in 48% of these patients. There was a significant association between hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea (p = 0.003); 46% of patients with galactorrhea and 75% of patients without galactorrhea had a high level of prolactin. Galactorrhea and hyperprolactinemia had no significant association with the type of abnormal uterine bleeding. Among patients with undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, hyperprolactinemia was present in more than 50% of them and in 46% it was associated with galactorrhea.

CONCLUSION

Hyperprolactinemia that presents a gynecological problem may or may not be accompanied by galactorrhea, and galactorrhea cannot be a certain index for hyperprolactinemia.