Hormone replacement therapy and prolactin levels in postmenopausal women

Abstract

Objective: Our purpose was to investigate the effect of hormonal replacement therapy on serum prolactin (PRL) levels in postmenopausal women. Study Design: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was initiated to 30 postmenopausal patients. We determined the basal prolactin levels before treatment, and again at the first and third months. We used paired-t and student-t test for statistical analysis. Results: The basal PRL level of menopausal women was 9.6 ± 4.6 ng/ml, while it was 10.5 ± 4.1 ng/ml in premenopausal women (p>0,05). After initiation of HRT, the PRL levels were 9.9 ± 3.3 ng/ml and 10.1 ± 3.9 ng/ml at the first and third months, respectively. These values were not different from basal PRL levels. Conclusion: Serum prolactin determination may be used for the diagnosis of secondary amenorrhea of menopause if clinically indicated. Howover checking the serum prolactin level after the initiation of HRT has no clinical implications.