What Do We Know About Abnormally Low Prolactin Levels in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome? A Narrative Review

    October 2024 in “ Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders ”
    Nicoletta Cera, Joana Pinto, Duarte Pignatelli
    TLDR Low prolactin levels in PCOS can cause metabolic problems like insulin resistance and obesity.
    This narrative review explores the role of prolactin levels in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), highlighting that both hyperprolactinemia and hypoprolactinemia are linked to metabolic alterations in PCOS patients. The review identifies 4 studies specifically investigating hypoprolactinemia and 6 additional studies reporting low prolactin levels in PCOS patients, with a prevalence of 13.2-13.9%. These low prolactin levels significantly contribute to metabolic issues such as insulin resistance, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and fatty liver disease. The review discusses the role of dopamine in regulating prolactin and GnRH levels, noting that excessive dopamine agonist treatment can lead to hypoprolactinemia. However, there is a need for more prospective studies and randomized clinical trials to confirm these findings and develop targeted treatments for prolactin level abnormalities in PCOS.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    7 / 7 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 335 results

      community [25, F] [RANT] Shedding since March 2020. This just isn’t fair.

      in Female  42 upvotes 4 years ago
      User "missbloombastic" has been experiencing hair loss since 2016 and tried min, fin, multivitamins, and spiro with mixed results. Another user shares their struggle with hair loss and its impact on self-esteem, while a third user suggests checking blood tests and confirming the cause of hair loss.

      community C’est terrible - at my wits end

      in Female  450 upvotes 2 years ago
      A 29-year-old woman is experiencing gradual hair thinning since age 15, suspects Androgenic Alopecia, and has tried 5% minoxidil with little success. She has purchased various hair loss treatments including minoxidil, dutasteride, finasteride, and spironolactone, but is cautious about starting them due to potential interactions with her ADHD medication.

      community Female, 30, PCOS diagnosis, MPB Norwood 2. Endo refuses to give anything other than Spironolactone. Feel like I’m at my wit’s end here.

      in Female  55 upvotes 2 years ago
      A 30-year-old female with PCOS and male pattern baldness is frustrated with her endocrinologist's recommendation of only Spironolactone and minoxidil, feeling that dutasteride, finasteride, and progesterone would be more effective. Other users suggest various online sources for treatments, warn against self-medicating due to potential risks, and recommend seeking a specialized endocrinologist or considering additional treatments like Inositol, Berberine, and dermaneedling.

      community Why balding gets worse in every generation?

      in Chat  81 upvotes 1 year ago
      Balding seems to worsen with each generation, possibly due to stress, diet, and environmental factors. The user started treatments like Minoxidil and finasteride.

      community Bryan Johnson just dropped his anti hair loss formula

      in Treatment  340 upvotes 2 years ago
      Bryan Johnson shared his hair loss treatment, which mainly relies on minoxidil and finasteride. Some users are skeptical of his results, while others appreciate his efforts in anti-aging and hair loss research.

    Similar Research

    5 / 1000+ results