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Prolactin is a hormone that is normally actively produced in a woman’s body during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In other cases, an increase in the level of prolactin has an adverse effect, in case of its increase, the balance of sex hormones is disturbed, which in turn affects reproductive health. Hyperprolactinemia can be physiological (as we mentioned above) and pathological (a condition that is not normal and requires treatment). Today we will try to find out the causes of hyperprolactinemia and its consequences.
Why does the prolactin level increase?
- Often this happens against the background of taking antidepressants, sedatives, sleeping pills, anticonvulsants, cardiovascular drugs
- Dysfunction of the thyroid gland. Prolactin and TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) are produced in the same part of the pituitary gland (the center of regulation of the endocrine system), so very often when TSH (hypothyroidism) increases, the level of prolactin can also increase, and vice versa, since structurally these two hormones have a similar structure
- Certain liver and kidney diseases
- Prolactinoma – a tumor of the pituitary gland, which leads to excessive secretion of prolactin (however, in this case, specific levels of the hormone are characteristic, according to which we can suspect prolactinoma and prescribe additional examinations)
- Рsychological factor. Very often, when a woman is in a long-term expected pregnancy, functional hyperprolactinemia is possible, which is not accompanied by organic changes
- Also, prolactin may increase after heavy physical exertion, stress, intimate life and irritation of the mammary glands, but such an increase will be transitory
- Prolactin is often concomitantly increased with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women, as it is highly dependent on the level of testosterone and insulin in the blood, although it may itself be the cause of their further increase
- Craniocerebral injuries, infectious neurological diseases
- Drinking beer also stimulates prolactin levels.
What is the danger of hyperprolactinemia?
- Absence of ovulation, and as a result of cycle disruption, complications with pregnancy
- Hypoplasia of the endometrium (thin endometrium), which is important for the correct attachment of the embryo to the uterine cavity
- A decrease in bone density (the body adjusts to the lactation process and calcium is washed out of the bones in order to saturate the milk with calcium for feeding the child)
- Decreased libido
- Increase in the level of TSH and deterioration of the functioning of the thyroid gland
Treatment of hyperprolactinemia
Since there are quite a lot of causes for this situation, treatment should be prescribed by a gynecologist-endocrinologist, optimally choosing the therapy in a specific case. Treatment is prescribed after examination and identification of the cause of hyperprolactinemia. This condition is successfully corrected and successfully treated.
How can hyperprolactinemia be prevented?
The best way to avoid such a condition is a healthy lifestyle and regular health checks. Balanced nutrition, proper sleep and rest regime, stress minimization – these are basic concepts for the harmonious work of endocrine health and the correct synthesis of hormones. You also need to be careful with taking medications and use them only as prescribed by your doctor.