Prolactin

Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. High levels can affect sexual and reproductive health. They may result from medication use, health conditions, or prolactinomas, benign tumors of the pituitary gland. Prolactin plays an important role in the healthy functioning of the body. Insufficient or excessive Noncancerous In this article, we look at the role of prolactin in the body, symptoms of prolactinomas or high prolactin levels, and treatments for insufficient or excessive levels of this hormone. Share on Pinterest FG Trade/Getty Images Prolactin is a hormone that helps breast development, particularly in females. It helps the body maintain an overall stable condition and also allows nursing individuals to lactate. The pituitary gland produces prolactin. This gland sits at the base of the brain and helps regulate hormones in the body. Insufficient or excess prolactin levels A prolactinoma is a noncancerous tumor in the pituitary gland. Prolactinomas produce prolactin, which There is no known cause for prolactinomas, but genetics may play a part in some cases. For example, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 is a genetic disorder that may increase the risk of developing prolactinomas. Prolactinomas are more common in females than males and are more prevalent in females aged It is Other factors can also cause a slight, temporary spike in prolactin levels, including: • physical stress on the body • exercise • sexual intercourse • eating a meal • nipple stimu...

Hyperprolactinemia is a medical condition in which excess Prolactin affects the sex hormone levels in both men and women. The pituitary gland, which is a pea-sized organ at the base of the brain, produces and releases prolactin. An excess of prolactin in the blood could be due to physiological (changes in the body), pathological (due to another disease), or idiopathic (no cause known) abnormalities. What Are the Causes of Hyperprolactinemia? Hyperprolactinemia has several causes, including tumors, certain prescription medications, and other health conditions. Tumors. A prolactinoma is a tumor or cancerous growth on the pituitary gland. It is the most common cause of this disease. The tumor produces excess prolactin. Depending on your individual condition, the tumor may be small or large. Most often, these tumors are benign and do not cause cancer. Tumors smaller than a centimeter are called microprolactinomas. Larger tumors are called macroprolactinomas. Larger tumors lead to other issues, like vision problems and headaches. Medicine. Besides tumors, some prescription medications can also increase the levels of prolactin in the body. These medications are prescribed for: • High blood pressure • Birth control • Menopausal symptoms • Pain • Nausea and vomiting • • Depression If you are using medicines for any of the diseases mentioned above and develop hyperprolactinemia, speak to your doctor. They will prescribe different medications or offer appropriate guidance. Other con...

Prolactin is an important hormone, particularly for female reproductive health. Although it is present in men, prolactin is best known for its role in enabling women to produce breast milk. Prolactin levels increase after a woman gives birth. In addition to its role in breast milk production, these high prolactin levels can also stop menstrual periods (and bring a decrease in sexual desire) while a woman breastfeeds. Prolactin levels typically return to normal levels when the baby is weaned and a woman is no longer breastfeeding, causing the menstrual cycle to resume. Sometimes, however, prolactin levels are high at other times; this condition is called hyperprolactinemia. Hyperprolactinemia predominately affects women, but it can cause Fortunately, hyperprolactinemia can often be treated with medication, surgery (in the case of a tumor), or other measures. Treatment is individualized to the patient based on the cause and symptoms of the condition, as well as desired outcomes. For women who are trying to get pregnant, the goal of treatment may be to reduce prolactin levels, since high levels of the hormone can interfere with the menstrual cycle. For someone who isn’t trying to get pregnant, doctors may tailor treatment to ensure the patient gets enough estrogen, since low estrogen levels, which can be caused by prolactinemia, can interfere with bone development and lead to other problems. Most cases of hyperprolactinemia are caused by increased prolactin secretion from the...

Hostname: page-component-594f858ff7-r29tb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2023-06-15T16:03:25.429Z Has data issue: false Feature Flags: hasContentIssue false Hyperprolactinaemia is a common endocrine disorder that can be associated with significant morbidity. Antipsychotic medications are frequently linked to hyperprolactinaemia. This disorder usually presents as menstrual problems in women and sexual problems in men, which affect the patients' quality of life and adherence to antipsychotic treatment. In the past, treatment for hyperprolactinaemia was recommended only for symptomatic patients. However, it has become clear that persistent asymptomatic hyperprolactinaemia can be associated with long-term physical morbidities such as osteoporosis and possibly breast cancer. Hence, it is imperative that hyperprolactinaemia is managed even if asymptomatic when initially detected. This article discusses the various management options, such as reducing the dose of antipsychotic medication, switching to a prolactin-sparing antipsychotic and adding aripiprazole to the treatment regimen. Hyperprolactinaemia, a commonly encountered adverse effect of antipsychotic medication, used to be regarded as an inevitable consequence of the treatment and ignored ( Reference Bostwick, Guthrie and EllingrodBostwick 2009). However, it has now been established that hyperprolactinaemia can be avoided with certain newer antipsychotics, such as aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, asenapine and c...

The Human Body Because prolactin acts to maintain the Regulation of prolactin secretion The hypothalamic regulation of prolactin secretion by the anterior pituitary gland is different from the hypothalamic regulation of other pituitary hormones in two respects. First, hypothalamic control of prolactin secretion is primarily inhibitory, whereas the hypothalamic control of the secretion of other anterior pituitary hormones is stimulatory. Thus, if the anterior pituitary is separated from the influence of the hypothalamus, the secretion of prolactin increases whereas that of the other anterior pituitary hormones decreases. The hypothalamic factor that inhibits prolactin secretion is the Prolactin-stimulating factors also exist, and included among them are GnRH, Prolactin deficiency and excess Prolactin deficiency occurs as a result of general pituitary hormone deficiency, which is Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Increased prolactin secretion can be caused by damage to the pituitary stalk, thereby interrupting the flow of dopamine from the hypothalamus through the hypophyseal-portal In women of reproductive age, high serum prolactin concentrations result in decreased secretion of gonadotropins and therefore decreased cyclic ovarian function. The frequency of menstrual cycles decreases ( Most patients with a prolactinoma are treated with drugs that mimic the action of dopamine, such as bromocriptine and cabergoline. These drugs result...

Overview What is hyperprolactinemia? Hyperprolactinemia is a treatable condition in which you have higher-than-normal levels of prolactin, a hormone, in your blood. While it isn’t life-threatening, hyperprolactinemia can cause infertility and other issues. What is prolactin? Prolactin (also known as lactotropin) is a hormone that’s mainly responsible for the development of mammary glands within • Central • • Uterus. • Mammary glands. Prolactin levels are normally low in people assigned male at birth (AMAB) and non-lactating and non-pregnant people. They’re normally elevated in people who are In general, the normal values for prolactin include: • For people assigned male at birth: Less than 20 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter). • For people assigned female at birth who are not pregnant or chestfeeding: less than 25 ng/mL. • For people who are pregnant or chestfeeding: 80 to 400 ng/mL. Who does hyperprolactinemia affect? Hyperprolactinemia most commonly affects people under the age of 40. People assigned female at birth (AFAB) are more likely to have hyperprolactinemia than people assigned male at birth (AMAB). Hyperprolactinemia is rare in children. How common is hyperprolactinemia? Hyperprolactinemia affects less than 1% of the general population. The most common cause of hyperprolactinemia is a prolactinoma, a benign (noncancerous) prolactin-releasing What is the difference between hyperprolactinemia and prolactinoma? A prolactinoma is a benign (noncancerous) tumor that fo...

Overview What is prolactinoma? A prolactinoma is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor that forms in your At least half of all prolactinomas are very small (less than 1 centimeter or 3/8 of an inch in diameter). These small tumors are called microprolactinomas and happen more often in people assigned female at birth (AFAB). Larger prolactinomas are more common in people assigned male at birth (AMAB), and they tend to occur at an older age. Tumors larger than 3/8 of an inch or 1 centimeter in diameter are called macroprolactinomas. What is prolactin? Prolactin levels are normally low in people assigned male at birth (AMAB) and non-lactating and non-pregnant people. They’re normally elevated in people who are pregnant or breastfeeding (chestfeeding). Having higher-than-normal levels of prolactin in your blood (hyperprolactinemia) — usually caused by a prolactinoma — can cause infertility and other issues. What is the pituitary gland? Your pituitary gland is a small, grape-sized gland located at the base of your brain below your hypothalamus. It’s a part of your Who gets prolactinomas? Prolactinomas occur most commonly in people under the age of 40. They’re more common in people assigned female at birth than people assigned male at birth and rarely occur in children and adolescents. How common are prolactinomas? Small, non-cancerous Symptoms and Causes What are the symptoms of a prolactinoma? The symptoms of a prolactinoma can vary depending on how much excess prolactin it’s produci...

Prolactin is one of the less talked about hormones, but it's critical for both men and women. Prolactin is produced by the pituitary gland and helps with sexual function, fertility, and lactation. While prolactin levels can fluctuate, they should generally be lower in women who are not In this article, I'll share: • What prolactin does in your body • What's an average prolactin level versus too high • What can cause elevated prolactin levels when you aren't breastfeeding • Natural ways to lower prolactin when the cause is not related to a more serious medical condition What Is Prolactin and What Is a Normal Prolactin Level? However, prolactin also has other important Additionally, prolactin levels have been linked with Levels of prolactin are partly regulated by hormones like Usually, your prolactin levels rise while you're pregnant and help you produce milk after delivery. Prolactin then drops when lactation is no longer needed. Normal Higher than normal prolactin levels (called hyperprolactinemia) are relatively common and can be caused by several factors (as you'll learn about below). High Prolactin Level Symptoms • Irregular or missing periods (amenorrhea) • Anovulation (when no egg is released) • Infertility • Galactorrhea (where the breasts produce milk without a pregnancy) or nipple discharge • • • • • Hot flashes • Acne • But it's also possible to have high prolactin without any symptoms, especially if you've already gone through Prolactin and The Menstrual Cycle H...