Depression hostility and anxiety in hyperprolactinemic amenorrhea.

In order to evaluate the relationship of psychological distress to hyperprolactinemia, 20 patients with secondary amenorrhea were evaluated by a semi-structured research interview and administered the Kellner Symptom Questionnaire. Group A (10 patients with amenorrhea and hyperprolactinemia) reported significantly more symptoms of depression, hostility and anxiety than group B (10 patients with amenorrhea and normal basal levels of plasma prolactin). Both groups were significantly more anxious, depressed and reported more somatic symptoms than a normal control group (n = 10). 6 of the 10 patients in group A reported decrease in libido, while this was found only in 1 of the 10 patients of group B. The findings suggest that the syndrome of depression, hostility and anxiety in a woman complaining of amenorrhea, especially if associated with decreased libido and galactorrhea, can be a manifestation of hyperprolactinemia.