Prolactin and subjective reports of stress in women attending an infertility clinic

Abstract

Two samples of patients attending an Infertility Clinic for the first time were asked to complete an Adjective Check List and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory respectively, on arrival at the Clinic. Prolactin was estimated from blood samples taken during the same visit, and before examination by a gynaecologist.

Significant positive correlations were obtained between measures of ‘stress’, ‘state’ anxiety and prolactin. The incidence of omissions and errors was also related to ‘state’ anxiety.

This anticipatory response of prolactin, correlated with subjective reports, confirms the lability of prolactin to psychological factors.