Galactorrhea and hyperprolactinemia during treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome

The serum concentration of prolactin and the presence of galactorrhea were evaluated systematically in a prospective study of the effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO). In 21 patients, the diagnosis of PCO was made by laparoscopy. Three women presented with galactorrhea and increased prolactin levels, 2 had galactorrhea with normal prolactin levels, and 3 had an isolated elevation in the serum concentration of prolactin. Treatment with MPA induced galactorrhea in 10 additional patients. Elevated levels of prolactin were detected in 18 of the patients during treatment. There was no correlation between the score for galactorrhea and the level of prolactin. Tomograms of the sella turcica were abnormal in 3 of 8 patients with hyperprolactinemia. The authors conclude that galactorrhea and/or hyperprolactinemia are important side effects of MPA in patients with PCO.