Prevalence of High Prolactin Levels in Subfertile Females of South Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To find out the prevalence of hyperprolactinemia in subfertile females attending outpatient department (OPD) in a tertiary care hospital of South Punjab, Pakistan Design: Cross sectional Setting: Gynaecological outpatient department (OPD) Nishtar Hospital Multan, Pakistan Duration of study: Six months Subjects and methods: After approval from the hospital ethical committee, 379 patients, who meet the set standards, having primary and secondary subfertility, were included from Gynae outpatient department (OPD) of Nishtar Hospital Multan. After informed consent, serum prolactin level was measured of all selected women. Data was entered into a computer using SPSS version 10 for Windows. Results: Most women (39.05%) were 26-30 years old and were nullipara. BMI > 30 was observed in 21.89% of cases. Majority of patients (66.75%) were having primary subfertility. Secondary subfertility was reported in 33.24% of cases. Duration of subfertility was < 5 years in 63.06% of patients and in 36.93% of cases duration of subfertility was ≥5 years. Frequency of hyperprolactinemia in subfertile women was 29.28%. Conclusion: Hyperprolactinemia causes anovulatory cycles because of suppression of endogenous gonadotrophins and it is commonly encountered in patients who primarily find unable to conceive as compared to those who have previously conceived. Keywords: High prolactin levels, primary infertility, secondary subfertility, prolactinoma.