A woman experiences irregular menstrual cycles and difficulty conceiving; hormone level tests reveal elevated prolactin. Which mechanism explains why hyperprolactinemia inhibits fertility?

💡 Explanation

Hyperprolactinemia typically inhibits fertility because prolactin suppresses Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) release from the hypothalamus, leading to decreased luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion. Therefore, ovulation is impaired, rather than enhanced follicle development or uterine preparation.

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