Select the hormone which when elevated is associated with galactorrhea, pituitary adenoma, and amenorrhea.

The hormone that is associated with galactorrhea (the inappropriate production of milk), pituitary adenoma (a tumor of the pituitary gland), and amenorrhea (the absence of menstruation) is prolactin. Elevated levels of prolactin, often due to a prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma (also known as a prolactinoma), lead to these symptoms.

Prolactin is responsible for stimulating milk production in lactating individuals, and its increased levels can disrupt normal menstrual cycles, leading to amenorrhea. The connection with pituitary adenoma arises because these tumors can secrete excess hormones, including prolactin, resulting in hyperprolactinemia, which contributes to both galactorrhea and amenorrhea.

In contrast, estrogens (E2) and progesterone are hormones primarily associated with the menstrual cycle and reproductive functions, while follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) plays a role in the development of reproductive cells. While imbalances in these hormones can affect menstruation, they do not specifically result in the classic triad of symptoms presented in this question as prolactin does. Thus, the identification of prolactin as the key hormone is