Prolactin can be high in women with PCOS, but it's not always the case.
While prolactin levels aren't always elevated in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), research indicates that some women with PCOS do experience hyperprolactinemia (high prolactin). The prevalence rates vary across studies.
- Prevalence: One study found that 6% of PCOS women (n=16) had elevated prolactin which was likely due to macroprolactin.
- Contradictory findings: Another study indicated a higher prevalence of idiopathic hyperprolactinemia (HPRL) of 23% in 76 PCOS women with HPRL.
Therefore, while elevated prolactin can occur in PCOS, it's not a universal finding, and the frequency of its occurrence varies depending on the study.
