Prevalence of hyperprolactinemia in adolescents and young women with menstruation-related problems.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of hyperprolactinemia in adolescents and young women with menstrual problems.

STUDY DESIGN: This study included 1704 young women with menstruation-related problems. The patients were classified into group I (age, 11-20 years) or group II (age, 21-30 years); the prevalence of hyperprolactinemia was analyzed according to age and categories of menstruation-related problems.

RESULTS: For primary amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea, the prevalence of hyperprolactinemia was low in both groups. However, hyperprolactinemia was a relatively common cause of secondary amenorrhea (5.5% for group I and 13.8% for group II, respectively); it was more frequent in group II (P = .001); the prevalence of prolactinoma was also higher in group II (P = .015). For abnormal uterine bleeding, hyperprolactinemia was more common in group II (2.6% for group I and 9.4% for group II; P < .001), but causes were similar.

CONCLUSION: Hyperprolactinemia is not rare in young women with menstruation-related problems; its prevalence varies according to age and manifestations.