The importance of hyperprolactinemia in impotence.
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.
Netto Júnior
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NR
Division of Urology, Medical Center of the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo, Brazil.
Claro
J de A
Jde A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood
D011388:Prolactin