The importance of hyperprolactinemia in impotence.

Abstract

The role of serum prolactin in sexual dysfunction has not yet been clarified. Moderate elevations of prolactin levels, without any associated disorder, occur frequently. A random group of 600 patients was studied to determine the level of prolactin in which medical treatment was necessary. Among these patients 23 (3.8%) presented hyperprolactinemia and were divided into two groups: Group 1--Twelve patients with prolactin levels ranging from 20 to 40 ng/ml, and Group 2--Eleven patients with levels higher than 40 ng/ml. In Group 1, prolactin of all patients returned to normal levels after treatment, but only one patient (8.3%) achieved full erection; on the other hand, in Group 2, nine out of eleven patients prolactin returned to normal after treatment and 77.7% achieved full erection.