Low prolactin level identifies hypoactive sexual desire disorder women with a reduced inhibition profile

PurposeData on the role of prolactin (PRL) in the physiologic range in the female sexual response are scanty. We aimed at investigating the association between PRL and sexual function as assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). We explored the presence of a cut-off level of PRL able to identify Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD).Methods277 pre- and post-menopausal women consulting for Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) and sexually active were enrolled in an observational, retrospective study. 42 women were used as no-FSD controls. A clinical, biochemical and psychosexual evaluation was performed. The main outcome measures were: FSFI, Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised, Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire and Sexual excitation/sexual inhibition scale (SIS/SES).ResultsNormo-PRL FSD women (n = 264) showed lower FSFI Desire score than controls (n = 42), and higher than hyper-PRL FSD women (n = 13). These differences emerged both in pre-menopausal and post-menopausal subjects. In the normo-PRL FSD group, those with PRL in the higher quintile reported higher FSFI Desire scores than those with PRL in the lowest quintile. Women with HSDD presented a lower PRL level than those without (p = 0.032). A ROC curve analysis for PRL showed an accuracy of 0.610 +/- 0.044 (p = 0.014) in predicting HSDD. With a threshold of < 9.83 mu g/L, sensitivity and specificity for HSDD were 63% and 56%, respectively. Subjects with PRL < 9.83 mu g/L also reported lower sexual inhibition (p = 0.006) and lower cortisol levels (p = 0.003) than those with PRL > = 9.83 mu g/L.ConclusionsHyper-PRL is associated with low desire; however, among normo-PRL FSD women, those with the lowest levels demonstrated a poorer desire than those with the highest levels. PRL < 9.83 mu g/L predicted HSDD and a lower sexual inhibitory trait.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the role of prolactin (PRL) in the female sexual response and found a correlation between high PRL levels and low desire, while among women with normal PRL levels, those with lower levels demonstrated poorer desire. The study also suggested that a PRL level of <9.83 μg/L could be used as a predictor for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) and a lower sexual inhibitory trait.