Association between endometriosis and hyperprolactinemia in infertile women

Background: The association of endometriosis with hyperprolactinemia is controversial. Objective: The present study aimed to determine the association of endometriosis with hyperprolactinemia in infertile women. Method: Women between age group 19-38 years who presented with chief complaint of infertility in the outpatient Department of Obstetric and Gynaecology at Sawai Maan Singh (SMS) Medical College and simultaneously underwent diagnostic laparoscopy were included in a cross sectional study. The presence of endometriosis was evaluated. To investigate the association of endometriosis with hyperprolactinemia, the patients whose infertility was not caused by endometriosis were included in the control group. Serum prolactin levels were measured in follicular phase in all females undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy for evaluation of infertility. The comparison of serum prolactin levels between the two groups was performed using unpaired t-test. Results: Prolactin levels were found to be significantly higher in the endometriosis group as compared to the control group (34.30±13.81 vs. 12.30±4.95 respectively). The results were statistically significant (p< 0.001). Conclusion: In the present study, hyperprolactinemia i.e. serum prolactin >20ng/ml was found to be associated with endometriosis. Hence, serum prolactin levels should be estimated in all patients who are suspected of endometriosis.