Pregnancy rate following bromocriptine treatment in infertile women with galactorrhea

Infertility is one of the most common causes of women refer to gynecology clinics. Galactorrhea is defined as one of the causes of infertility caused by luteal phase defect and anovulatory cycles. The study aim was to investigate the effect of bromocriptine on pregnancy rate in infertile women with galactorrhea with or without high prolactin level.

In a prospective study, consecutive women with infertility and galactorrhea who referred to Afzalipour Hospital and a private clinic during 5 years from May 2001 to May 2006 were included. The study was conducted on 205 infertile women (18-39 years) with galactorrhea. They were treated with 2.5 mg bromocriptine BID for up to 6 months.

The mean duration of sterility was 43.1 +/- 37.1 months (range, 12-16). 76.1% of patients showed positive signs for pregnancy. The pregnancy rate was 81.7% in the patients with high prolactin level (>20 ng/dl) and 74.3% in the patients with normal prolactin level (P = 0.26). There was a significant difference between mean duration of treatment with bromocriptine in women with and without pregnancy, 103.71 and 193.03 days, respectively (P < 0.001).

Considering the efficacy of bromocriptine in the treatment of infertile women with galactorrhea, we suggest treatment with bromocriptine in these patients regardless of serum prolactin level.