Prolactin is a kind of hormone secreted by the pituitary gland located in the brain. It is the hormone that ensures the development of the mammary glands during pregnancy in women and the production of milk after childbirth. That's why prolactin is also popularly known as the milk hormone. Decongestant. In men, on the other hand, an increase in prolactin levels leads to consequences such as a decrease in testosterone levels, sexual reluctance, a decrease in sperm quality, and even infertility, that is, infertility.
Ingredients
What is the hormone prolactin?
What does prolactin elevation mean?
What causes prolactin elevation?
What causes prolactin elevation?
How is prolactin elevation diagnosed?
How is prolactin elevation treated?
What is prolactin low, how is it treated?
What is the hormone prolactin?
Prolactin, secreted from the pituitary gland located in the lower part of the brain and about the size of chickpeas, is a kind of hormone. Its main function is the 8th of pregnancy. it is to make the expectant mother ready for milk production by maturing the mammary gland from the week. Prolactin levels remain high throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. It is also responsible for ovulation and therefore the interruption of the menstrual cycle. Regular secretion of the hormone prolactin from the pituitary gland during pregnancy and lactation prevents the formation of pregnancy again for a while by stopping the secretion of the hormones FSH and GnRH. The reason why women who have just given birth do not menstruate and do not conceive again is the release of prolactin. As with women, it has a negative effect on sexual desire in men. It also plays a role in the production of sperm in men. But in women who are not pregnant, an increase in the prolactin hormone also brings problems such as menstrual irregularities, milk coming from the nipple. A rare low prolactin level leads to insufficient milk production, slowing down and stopping ovarian function; in men, on the other hand, premature ejaculation, defined as premature ejaculation, leads to problems such as premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction.
What does prolactin elevation mean?
The prolactin hormone, abbreviated as PRL, should be at a level of approximately 15 to 25 µg/L in women. In men, this ratio is in the range of about 5 to 10 µg/L. Although it is considered normal for it to remain high for some time during pregnancy and after childbirth, if pregnancy and puerperium are not involved, the production of FSH and GnRH hormones is suppressed by increasing the hormone prolactin. As a result, egg production is interrupted and problems such as inability to conceive, menstrual irregularity occur. It reduces estrogen levels in women and testosterone levels in men. As a result, sexual dysfunction is also observed. The symptoms of prolactin elevation are as follows:
The presence of pregnancy
The appearance of transparent or white discharge or milk in the breast, except during pregnancy
Low estrogen and progesterone levels
Menstrual irregularity or absence
Dryness in the vagina
Infertility
Breast growth in men
Erectile dysfunction
Sudden decrease in hair level in men
Headaches and visual disturbances observed due to the mass present in the pituitary gland
What causes prolactin elevation?
The hormone prolactin, secreted during pregnancy, causes the development of the mammary gland and the formation of milk. But if there is no pregnancy, the height of prolactin indicates the presence of some problems. The causes of prolactin elevation, also called hyperprolactinemia, include the presence of a benign tumor Decribed as a prolactinoma and located in the pituitary gland, polycystic ovary syndrome, kidney and liver diseases. Microadenoma existing in the pituitary gland, in other words, benign tumors smaller than 1 cm in size and tumors defined as macroadenomas larger than 1 cm in size lead to hyperprolactinemia. The diagnosis of these tumors is made with an MRI taken by a radiologist. Microadenomas and macroadenomas are mostly treated with medication without surgery. But pituitary tumors that cannot be treated with medication or are much larger and put pressure on the optic nerve are removed by surgical operation. At the same time, hyperprolactinemia is also observed under the influence of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone TRH in the case of low functioning of the thyroid gland, known as hypothyroidism. Reasons such as breast massage, heavy exercise and insomnia also cause prolactin hormone levels to increase. Other disorders that cause prolactin elevation are as follows:
The use of tight underwear
Stress
Insomnia
Side effects of antidepressants and other medications used
Pituitary gland tumor
Lung cancer
Unbalanced nutrition
Anorexia
Breast traumas
Endocrinological problems
In addition, constantly stimulating the breast to check for milk at the nipple can also lead to an increase in prolactin levels and milk production.
What causes prolactin elevation?
The hormone prolactin, which allows the breast tissue to develop during pregnancy and become ready for milk production, helps to secrete milk by stimulating the postpartum breast. But the increased prolactin value in women outside of pregnancy and puerperal period leads to problems such as menstrual irregularity, menstrual interruption, infertility, decreased sexual desire, milk from the nipple, transparent or white discharge, painful sexual intercourse due to vaginal dryness. In men, on the other hand, it causes sexual reluctance, erection problems, infertility, decreased body hair and rarely nipple discharge due to hyperprolactinemia. It can also lead to headaches and vision problems at a level that will affect a person's normal life.
How is prolactin elevation diagnosed?
In the presence of complaints such as breast growth and pain, sexual reluctance, infertility, headache, vision problems, menstrual irregularity or cessation, milk or discharge from the nipple at a normal time or when the nipple is squeezed, which causes patients to consult a specialist physician, the doctor listens to the patient's detailed history and performs a physical examination. Medications used during the anamnesis, existing stress factors should definitely be shared with the physician. Then, the prolactin level in the blood is checked by a laboratory test. But since a decrease and increase in prolactin levels can be observed during the day, it is important to check the blood test in the morning, during the time period when the prolactin hormone level is high. In addition, the day before the blood test, it is important not to stimulate the nipple, not to have sexual intercourse, for accurate measurement of prolactin levels. If a high prolactin level is detected in the blood, hormonal tests and radiological imaging are performed regarding the cause.
How is prolactin elevation treated?
Treatment begins with the detection of the disorder causing the prolactin elevation. In some patients, getting away from stress, maintaining a regular diet and sleep pattern, using comfortable underwear helps to reduce prolactin levels. After treatment of the disease that mostly causes hyperprolactinemia, the hormone level returns to normal limits. In the presence of a mass in the pituitary gland, the reduction of the mass is achieved with the use of medication. But in the presence of a large mass, surgical intervention is required.
What is prolactin low, how is it treated?
If the prolactin level in the blood test is below normal values, it indicates a low level of the hormone prolactin. This rare condition indicates that the pituitary gland, which is mostly located in the brain and provides the release of prolactin, does not function normally. In this case, called hypopituitarism, appropriate treatment is arranged. Some types of drugs with content such as dopamine, amphetamine, bromocriptine also cause low prolactin. In addition to all these, problems in the immune system, GH, that is, a deficiency in growth hormone, hypopituitarism, and some hormonal diseases that lead to excessive dopamine release also cause a decrease in the level of prolactin hormone.
Treatment of low prolactin is usually done by eliminating the factor that leads to this condition. If there is a problem caused by the pituitary gland, the condition that causes this condition is detected and the appropriate form of treatment is selected. Do not forget to have your checks regularly for a healthy life.