Case-control study, 1984
Do women with breast pain during their menstrual cycle have higher prolactin levels?
No, the study found no difference in prolactin levels between women with breast pain and healthy women, so high prolactin does not appear to cause this symptom.
What they did
A case-control study measuring plasma prolactin during the luteal phase (second half of the cycle) in 22 women with moderate or severe breast pain and 43 healthy control women.
What they found
No significant differences in prolactin levels were found between women with breast pain and healthy controls. Prolactin levels did not change noticeably during the luteal phase in either group. No association was found between breast pain and prolactin variation.
What it means for you
This finding suggests that high prolactin is not the explanation for breast pain. Doctors might not need to check or treat prolactin levels to help this type of pain. However, the study is small and only measured prolactin once per cycle, so other factors might still be involved.
22
Women with moderate or severe breast pain
43
Healthy control women
About the study
- Original title
- Plasma prolactin in women with mastodynia
- Authors
- Graziottin A, Sopracordevole F, Velasco M et al.
- Journal
- Clinical and experimental obstetrics & gynecology
- Year
- 1984
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 43
- What was tested
- None - this is an observational study
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6539179/
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2021
Does damask rose help reduce menstrual pain, headache, fatigue, anxiety, and bloating?
Systematic review, 2012
What medications work best for PMDD?
Review, 2009
What causes PMDD and what are the treatment options?
Study, 2026
What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?
Systematic review, 2025
Do diet changes or supplements help PMS symptoms?
Survey study, 2022
What factors are linked to PMS in teenage girls?