Decreased Bone Density in Hyperprolactinemic Women

Abstract

HYPERPROLACTINEMIA is a relatively common clinical problem, occurring in more than 25 per cent of women who present with secondary amenorrhea.^{1 , 2} Amenorrhea, anovulation, and galactorrhea are well-established clinical sequelae of hyperprolactinemia in women.^{3 , 4} Hypogonadism occurs in many of these women, and is evidenced by amenorrhea, vaginal-mucosal atrophy, lack of progesterone-induced uterine withdrawal bleeding, and serum estradiol levels comparable to those of postmenopausal women.^{5 , 6} In other hyperprolactinemic, amenorrheic women, a relative estrogen deficiency may be present, since serum estradiol concentrations remain tonically fixed at levels found only during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, without the six-fold or greater . . .