Galactorrhea-amenorrhea syndromes: etiology and treatment.

Fifteen patients with galactorrhea-amenorrhea syndromes were studied before, during, and after treatment with bromergocryptine. Galactorrhea and amenorrhea were noted after pregnancy (6 patients), after oral contraceptive therapy (5 patients), and in association with pituitary adenoma (4 patients). Before treatment prolactin values were elevated ranging from 27 to 125 ng/ml, while luteinizing hormone and progesterone levels failed to show ovulatory peaks or luteal phase progression. Eleven patients had luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone tests before therapy. Response was normal in 8, subnormal in 2 pituitary adenoma, and supranormal in 1 patient with premature ovarian failure. Treatment with bromergocryptine was associated with a lowering of serum prolactin, cessation of lactation in all, and return of ovulatory menses in 14 of 15 patients. All relapsed when therapy was discontinued. Four patients became pregnant while on therapy. Long-term bromergocryptine therapy is effective for all forms of galactorrhea-amenorrhea syndromes studied.