The Effect of the Pituitary Gland on the Hormone Prolactin and Its Relationship to Menstrual Irregularity According to Obesity

Background; Thyroid dysfunction has a substantial effect on the functioning of menstruation and the fertility of women. Hypothyroidism often coincides with increased prolactin levels, which worsens the disease. Research objectives; A cross-sectional study was undertaken in the infertility outpatient department of the University Teaching Hospital in Iraq, specifically examining the medical records of women who had undergone infertility evaluations. The study examined pertinent historical information, clinical observations, and findings from several investigations, such as thyroid function testing and blood prolactin level assessment. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used to ascertain the prevalence and associations between predictors and outcome variables. Aim of the study; The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of thyroid diseases among infertile women who are seeking treatment at the outpatient department of University Teaching Hospital in Iraq. Furthermore, it sought to examine the correlation between hypothyroidism and hyperprolactinemia with obesity, a subject that has not been thoroughly studied in our population. Novelty; Out of the 200 participants, the largest group, comprising 90 individuals (42%), were categorized as obese. The mean body mass index (BMI) of the subjects was 24 ± 4 kg/m2. The prevalence of thyroid disorder was 18%, with hypothyroidism representing 13% and hyperthyroidism representing 4%. No significant correlation was observed between BMI and hyperprolactinemia in people diagnosed with thyroid illness. Furthermore, no noteworthy correlation was found between BMI and hyperprolactinemia as an isolated condition. Nevertheless, a notable direct association was observed between thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin levels. Thyroid abnormalities and hyperprolactinemia are common in women who have difficulty getting pregnant. Therefore, it is advisable to regularly screen for these problems during the initial evaluation of infertility. While there was no notable association between BMI and thyroid illness and hyperprolactinemia, it is important to acknowledge the potential influence of weight gain on infertility, especially given that the majority of participants in the research were obese.