It's no secret that a normal hormonal background is extremely important for the functioning of the body. And today, many women are interested in the question of what can increase prolactin.
Main Functions
Before you know what factors can increase prolactin, you should study more information about the hormone itself and its functions. Prolactin is a biologically active protein substance that is produced in the back of the pituitary gland. This hormone is mainly responsible for preparing the mammary glands for lactation and for the production of milk.
On average, the concentration of prolactin in the blood is about 15 ng/ml. Interestingly, it is released into the blood in an impulse - a woman has about 14 such emissions per day.
Consequences of increased prolactin
In some cases, these changes in hormonal levels can be quite normal and natural. For example, pregnancy can increase prolactin. Of course, hormone levels are highest during lactation.
But if the increase has nothing to do with reproduction, it can lead to unpleasant consequences. For example, hyperprolactinemia is often the cause of female infertility, as it affects the menstrual cycle and can block the ovulation process. Many women suffer from galactorrhea - the spontaneous release of breast milk, the formation of which is not associated with fertilization. Sometimes these hormonal fluctuations lead to dryness of the vaginal mucosa.
By the way, the level of this hormone can also increase in men. In the representatives of the stronger sex, such a violation is often the cause of a decrease in sexual desire and even impotence.
What can increase prolactin?
As already mentioned, the reasons for the increase in the amount of this hormone may be physiological. On the other hand, such a pathology is often associated with very dangerous diseases.
First of all, it is worth noting that a prolactinoma pituitary tumor can increase prolactin. In addition, risk factors include trauma and mechanical damage to the hypothalamic-pituitary region, as well as sarcoidosis, cyst, neurosyphilis. In some cases, the level of the hormone rises sharply after major surgery.
The work of the endocrine system is of great importance in this case. Diseases of the endocrine glands (for example, hypothyroidism) lead to a hormonal imbalance, which often affects the secretion of prolactin.
Some medications can also increase prolactin. In particular, this result often leads to the wrong intake of hormonal drugs and drugs that blockdopamine receptors (dopamine regulates prolactin secretion).
Elevated prolactin: treatment
Therapy depends on the cause of the increase in hormone levels. Therefore, a complete diagnosis of the patient is carried out first. If the problem is related to hypothyroidism, then the woman is prescribed hormone replacement therapy. The level of prolactin is reduced with the help of preparations containing bromocriptine (a substance that blocks the synthesis of this hormone). If a tumor is present, surgery is most often required.
