# High Prolactin and Anemia as Factors in Female Infertility: A Cross-Sectional Study in Infertile Women of Balochistan, Pakistan

## TL;DR

This study finds that high prolactin levels and anemia are common in infertile women in Balochistan, Pakistan, and may contribute to infertility.

## Contribution

The study provides new regional data on the prevalence of hyperprolactinemia and anemia in infertile women in Balochistan.

## Key findings

- Primary infertile women had significantly higher prolactin levels than secondary infertile women.
- Anemia was more prevalent in secondary infertile women compared to primary infertile women.
- No significant association was found between prolactin levels and anemia in different infertility types.

## Abstract

Background

Female infertility is a significant health challenge, with hormonal imbalances and nutritional deficiencies being among the key contributing factors. Both hyperprolactinemia and anemia have been suggested as potential factors affecting fertility in women.

Objective

This study aims to determine the prolactin levels and anemia prevalence in infertile women of Balochistan, Pakistan, and to establish whether female infertility is related to hyperprolactinemia and anemia, in addition to the association between hyperprolactinemia and anemia in infertile women.

Methods

This cross-sectional research was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mekran Medical College, Turbat, Balochistan, from January 2024 to June 2024. A total of 310 women diagnosed with infertility were divided into two groups: 222 women with primary infertility and 88 women with secondary infertility. The study participants' prolactin levels were measured, and the prevalence of anemia was determined by measuring hemoglobin levels.

Results

Of the primary infertile women, 148 (47.7%) participants had hyperprolactinemia, whereas 38 (12.3%) secondary infertile women had hyperprolactinemia. The mean serum prolactin levels were significantly higher in primary infertility patients compared to secondary infertility patients (31.85 ± 29.46 ng/mL versus 22.97 ± 18.24 ng/mL, p = 0.009). A p-value of <0.05 (p = 0.001) showed a statistically significant association between infertility type and prolactin levels, with primary infertility showing a higher prevalence of raised prolactin compared to secondary infertility. Mean hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in primary infertility patients (11.58 ± 1.53 g/dL versus 12.14 ± 1.48 g/dL, p = 0.019), with 113 (50.9%) of primary infertile women having anemia compared to 54 (61.4%) of secondary infertile women. In total, 167 (53.8%) infertile women had anemia. Secondary infertility showed a higher prevalence of anemia than primary infertility. However, no statistically significant association existed between prolactin levels and anemia in different infertility types.

Conclusion

Our study shows that the high occurrence of anemia and increased prolactin levels in women of reproductive age suggest their contributory role in causing infertility. Regular screening and prompt intervention for anemia and hyperprolactinemia are critical in treating infertility-related outcomes.