Breast examination does not elevate serum prolactin

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Reproductive Medicine
• Clinical Physiology

Background:

• Elevated serum prolactin is associated with infertility.
• Physical examinations, including pelvic exams, may induce stress.
• Stress can influence hormone levels like prolactin and cortisol.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of physical examinations on serum prolactin and cortisol levels in patients presenting to an infertility clinic.
• To determine if examination-induced stress impacts hormone levels in infertile patients.

Main Methods:

• Serum prolactin and cortisol were measured in 24 patients before and after a comprehensive physical examination.
• The examination included pelvic assessment and breast examination for galactorrhea.
• Patients were stratified based on basal prolactin values (normal vs. high).

Main Results:

• No statistically significant changes in serum prolactin or cortisol levels were observed post-examination in the overall group.
• Hormone levels remained unchanged in patients with normal basal prolactin and those with high basal prolactin.
• The study found no significant impact of the physical examination on these hormone levels (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Thorough physical examinations, including pelvic exams, do not appear to significantly alter serum prolactin or cortisol levels in patients attending an infertility center.
• The findings suggest that stress associated with these examinations may not be a primary driver of occasional elevations in basal prolactin values.
• Further research could explore other factors contributing to elevated prolactin in infertile patients.