Serum Prolactin as a Routine Biomarker in the Assessment of Mastalgia

Open Access

Abstract

Introduction: Mastalgia is one of the most common breast-related complaints among females and is a frequent reason for seeking medical attention. Although hormonal factors, including prolactin, have been implicated in its pathogenesis, the clinical value of routine serum prolactin estimation remains uncertain. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the role of serum prolactin as a routine biomarker in the assessment of mastalgia. Methods & Materials: This multi-setting, descriptive observational cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2025 to December 2025, in both hospital-based settings (including inpatient and outpatient departments) and selected private clinics/general practices to assess the prevalence of elevated serum prolactin among female patients presenting with mastalgia. The study included 123 participants. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Result: A total of 123 females with mastalgia were included in the study, with a mean age of 33.8±8.1 years. Cyclical mastalgia (64.2%), bilateral breast pain (50.4%), and moderate pain intensity (56.1%) were the most common clinical presentations (some were overlapped). The majority of patients (91.1%) had normal serum prolactin levels, while only 8.9% had elevated levels. No significant association was found between serum prolactin levels and the type or severity of mastalgia (p>0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that routine serum prolactin measurement is of limited clinical utility in the evaluation of mastalgia. The majority of patients with mastalgia had serum prolactin levels within the normal range, and no significant relationship was identified between prolactin levels and either the type or severity of breast pain. In addition, routine prolactin testing had minimal impact on clinical decision-making or patient management.