Menopause Has a Beneficial Influence on the Evolution of Prolactinomas. A Study of 99 Patients
Authors' conclusion
We confirm that menopause has a beneficial effect on the evolution of prolactinomas. When fulfilling stringent criteria for DA withdrawal, two-thirds of postmenopausal women can expect sustained remission, and recurrences are generally mild and asymptomatic.
Study context
- Population
- Women with prolactinoma undergoing menopause (12 months of amenorrhea, low estradiol, FSH > 25 U/L) while on dopamine agonist (DA) treatment; mean age at diagnosis 37.9 ± 8.1 years; 67 microadenomas, 32 macroadenomas (12 invasive)
- Participants
- 99 women
- Outcome
- Prolactin levels on stable-dose DA after menopause
Methodological detailstwo tertiary academic hospitals
- Two tertiary academic hospitals
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Median prolactin before menopause (Mp)
18.0 µg/L
Median prolactin 3 to 6 months after Mp (n = 71, P = .05)
9.8 µg/L
Median prolactin after 24 months (n = 45, P < .001)
7.9 µg/L
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Coronal surface · 24 months
- Coronal surface decreased from 16.5 to 8.2 mm² (n = 34, P < .01)
Remission after DA withdrawal · median follow-up 29 months
- DA successfully discontinued
- 56 women
- Remaining in remission
- 41 (73%)
- Recurrence, mostly within first year after DA withdrawal
- 15 women (27%)
- Prolactin 3 to 6 months after DA discontinuation was the only independent predictor of recurrence
Estrogen-progestin replacement therapy (given in 23 women)
- Did not influence prolactinoma outcome
Original publication
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →