Irregular periods, decreased libido, frequent hair and skin problems, infertility - this is how high prolactin in women manifests itself.
What is this hormone?
It is produced by the anterior pituitary gland. Prolactin stimulates the development and growth of the mammary glands in growing girls and controls milk production during lactation in women. During pregnancy, sleep, stress and in the presence of certain diseases (liver or lungs), increased secretion of prolactin is observed. The hormone is involved in the regulation of water-s alt metabolism, prolongs the corpus luteum phase, and during lactation actively suppresses hormones that stimulate ovulation. 30 ng / ml or 600 mU / l - the normal level of prolactin in the blood. In certain cases, it can increase, thereby causing hyperprolactinemia.
If prolactin is elevated in women
The symptoms of this disorder in the body are obvious:
- Infertility.
- Hirsutism - hair begins to grow in the areola, on the white line of the abdomen and face.
- Obvious violation of the menstrual cycle.
- Significant decrease in libido.
- Galactorrhea - secretion of milk with gentle pressure.
- Acne.
- Visual disturbances. A pituitary tumor is the reason that prolactin is elevated in women.
- Symptoms of secondary osteoporosis as a result of reduced bone density.
- Obesity as a result of increased appetite.
Reasons
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high levels of prolactin in women Physiological. The content of this hormone in the blood can be affected by pregnancy, increased physical activity, lactation, intimacy. With some surgical interventions (frequent curettage of the uterus), prolactin is elevated in women. Symptoms of the physiological causes of an increase in the level of this hormone in the blood are described above.
- Iatrogenic. Medications are often the cause of hyperprolactinemia. Among them: high-dose estrogens, oral contraceptives, antidepressants, antihypertensives, antipsychotics.
- Pathological. Some diseases of the body also provoke an increased content of the hormone. For example, liver failure, thyroid disease, radiation exposure, cirrhosis of the liver, pituitary tumor and compression, tuberculosis, polycystic ovary syndrome. Elevated prolactin is often observed in people suffering from chronic lack of sleep, frequent stressful conditions.
Consequences
Violation of the level of prolactin in the blood makes it impossible to conceive. Its increased content in the body inhibits the synthesis of luteinizingand follicle-stimulating hormones responsible for ovulation.
Diagnosis
If prolactin is elevated in women, the symptoms are similar to those listed above, then the doctor must conduct a thorough examination and find out family and life history. The doctor will ask the patient about past thyroid diseases, operations on the pituitary gland, chest and ovaries. In addition, he will clarify the presence of attacks of insomnia and depression, pathological fractures. For accurate diagnosis, carry out:
- ultrasound examination of the liver, thyroid gland, kidneys, mammary glands, ovaries;
- radiography and MRI of the skull to detect pathologies of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, the same procedures for the bones of the skeleton;
- biochemical blood test;
- prolactin test.
Treatment
If there is no pituitary tumor, doctors use conservative treatment. The most commonly used drugs are Bromkriptin and Dostinex. Remember that if prolactin is elevated in women, the symptoms are similar to those listed above, then only a qualified specialist can diagnose and treat. Stay he althy!
