---
title: Does high prolactin cause severe period pain? | Niyora
description: High prolactin was found in 13 of 15 women with severe period pain, and most improved with treatment. We cannot be very sure because the sample was tiny and t
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/primary-dysmenorrhoea-and-hyperprolactinemia-author-s-transl-1978/
---

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- Does high prolactin cause severe period pain?

Non-randomised trial, 1978

# Does high prolactin cause severe period pain?

High prolactin was found in 13 of 15 women with severe period pain, and most improved with treatment. We cannot be very sure because the sample was tiny and there was no control group.

 Early or limited evidence

15 women with severe primary dysmenorrhoea

## What they did

Examined 15 women with severe primary dysmenorrhoea. Doctors ruled out pituitary tumours and treated all women with Bromo-ergocryptine, a medication that lowers prolactin.

## What they found

High prolactin levels were found in 13 of 15 women. After treatment, 8 women became symptom-free and 5 were well improved.

## What it means for you

The findings suggest high prolactin may be linked to severe period pain. The main limits are the very small sample size and no control group for comparison. This was published in 1978, so it is older research.

13 of 15

women with high prolactin

8

became symptom-free

5

were well improved

## About the study

Original title [Primary dysmenorrhoea and hyperprolactinemia (author's transl)] Authors Litschgi M, Glatthaar E Journal Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde Year 1978 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 15 What was tested Bromo-ergocryptine medication to lower prolactin Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/566689/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/566689/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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