The most important biological components of the human body, which control not only our feelings and behavior, but almost all physiological processes, are hormones. Prolactin in women is the main hormone responsible for reproductive function, regulating ovulation and the menstrual cycle. Today's article is about him.
So, prolactin (hormone): what is it? What is its rate? What is the hormone prolactin responsible for in the human body? Let's look at these questions.
Prolactin is produced in the brain, namely in the anterior pituitary gland. It is also called the “stress hormone”, as its level rises with various physical and emotional stresses.
Functions of the hormone in the body
Scientists are still studying prolactin (a hormone). What it is - today is not fully known. Numerous studies have established the following functions of this biologically active substance in the female body:
- This hormone directly affects the growth of the mammary glands in girls during puberty and prepares them forlactation. In addition, during breastfeeding, prolactin stimulates and regulates milk production.
- One of the most important functions of the hormone in question is to maintain the existence of a corpus luteum in the ovary. Thanks to this, the high content of progesterone, necessary for bearing a child, is maintained.
- Under the influence of prolactin, the so-called maternal instinct and the corresponding behavioral responses are formed.
- Regulates the activity of the adrenal glands (prolactin stimulates the production of androgens).
For the male body, this hormone is also very important, because:
- Participates in the regulation of spermatogenesis.
- Hormones FSH, LH, prolactin are closely related, which, in turn, activates the activity of other biologically active substances that regulate sexual function. In particular, prolactin is responsible for the formation of testosterone.
- Stimulates the production of prostate secretions.
From this it follows that prolactin has a huge impact on the state of the reproductive system of both women and men. In addition, the hormone is a natural "contraceptive" - it prevents conception during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The hormone prolactin: the norm for women
The level of this hormone varies depending on the day of the menstrual cycle. The following values are considered normal:
- in the follicular phase - from 4.5 to 33 ng/ml;
- in the ovulatory phase - from 6.3 to 49 ng/ml;
- in the luteal phase - from 4, 9up to 40 ng/ml.
Concentration of prolactin in the blood during pregnancy
During the bearing of a baby, serious changes occur in a woman's body, the hormone prolactin also changes. The norm for women during this period is:
- in the first trimester - from 3.2 to 43 ng/ml;
- in the II trimester - from 13 to 166 ng/ml;
- in the III trimester - from 13 to 318 ng/ml.
The increase in the level of the hormone prolactin begins at the 8th week of pregnancy. Its maximum value is observed at 20-25 weeks. Before childbirth, the content of prolactin decreases. The next increase in the hormone occurs during breastfeeding.
Prolactin levels in the male body
As noted above, one of the main roles in the body of males is played by the hormone prolactin. The norm for men is slightly lower than for women, and is in the range of 2.5-17 ng / ml.
How to determine the content of prolactin in the body?
A blood test will help determine the content in the body of a substance such as the hormone prolactin. When to take tests? Women are encouraged to donate blood during the first 3 days of their menstrual cycle (unless otherwise recommended). The most favorable period for determining the hormone prolactin is the morning time, after waking up, 2-3 hours should pass. Tests are usually taken on an empty stomach.
How to prepare for laboratory tests?
The day before you need to donate blood for the hormone prolactin, you shouldrefrain from sexual intercourse, refuse to visit saunas, baths, exclude the use of alcohol even in minimal doses. Any worries and experiences contribute to an increase in the content of the mentioned substance in the blood, therefore, if possible, exclude stressful situations on the eve of the test. Before the study, be extremely careful not to injure the chest. Immediately before the test, lie down for 30 minutes and try to relax as much as possible. Refrain from smoking one hour before blood sampling. It is very important to follow the above recommendations. Otherwise, the results of the blood test will be unreliable, which will entail the delivery of other tests.
When should I take a blood test to determine the amount of the hormone prolactin?
Specialists recommend a blood test for prolactin if a woman has the following pathologies:
- infertility;
- no period for 6 months or more;
- milk is secreted from the mammary glands, while the woman is not pregnant and does not breastfeed;
- frequent headaches;
- impaired vision for unknown reason.
Men should be tested for prolactin if:
- breast enlargement;
- observed erectile dysfunction (inability to maintain an erection during the entire sexual intercourse);
- worried about headaches;
- visual impairment observed.
Hyperprolactinemia, or elevated prolactin (hormone): what is it?
This is a pathological condition that characterizes various diseases, namely:
- Prolactinoma. This is a pituitary tumor that produces prolactin in excess. As a rule, in this condition, the level of the concentration of this hormone in the blood exceeds 200 ng / ml.
- Anorexia. This condition is a mental pathology in which a person refuses to eat out of fear of weight gain.
- Hypothyroidism. A condition characterized by decreased production of thyroid hormones.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome. This is a pathology of the female genital area, in which the menstrual cycle is disturbed, there is increased hair growth throughout the body.
In addition, the level of the hormone can be increased with severe kidney disease, cirrhosis of the liver, neoplasm in the hypothalamus, taking certain medications that have the corresponding side effect (estrogens, hormonal contraceptives, tricyclic antidepressants, amphetamines, and others).
Hyperprolactinemia can also have a physiological character. Prolactin levels rise when:
- pregnancy;
- breastfeeding;
- intense physical activity;
- high protein diet;
- emotional overstrain.
Symptoms of elevated blood prolactin
With an excess of the hormone prolactin inthe body has serious functional disorders (both in men and women):
- In the early stages of the disease, a decrease in libido (sex drive) is characteristic, which can provoke reproductive dysfunction.
- Women's menstrual cycle fails and anorgasmia develops. During the examination, the absence of ovulation is detected. With a high level of the hormone prolactin, the production of FSH and LH is reduced, which, in turn, leads to infertility.
- In men, sexual function is disturbed, sexual intercourse is not accompanied by ejaculation. Spermogram analysis shows a small number of spermatozoa, their mobility is reduced, various defects in the structure are observed.
In addition, a high content of the hormone prolactin in the blood can cause vision loss, sleep and memory disorders, depression, osteoporosis, mastopathy, provoke such a dangerous condition as oncology of the mammary glands or other important female organs.
How to reduce the concentration of the hormone prolactin in the blood?
If a specialist diagnoses high levels of prolactin in the body, treatment should begin immediately. Therapeutic measures are aimed at combating the disease that caused the development of hyperprolactinemia. So, prolactinoma involves drug treatment with the use of a drug such as Bromkriptin and other drugs, radiation therapy for a pituitary tumor or its surgical removal. In case of hypothyroidism,treatment of thyroid pathology, and so on.
Why does the amount of prolactin in the blood decrease?
Reduced concentration of this hormone in the body is considered a variant of the norm for children, men and non-pregnant women. A decrease in the amount of prolactin in the blood, as a rule, does not require special treatment. However, to exclude diseases of the pituitary gland, it is still worth undergoing a medical examination.
Low blood levels of prolactin may indicate:
- benign and malignant tumors of the pituitary gland;
- tuberculosis of the pituitary gland;
- head injuries with pituitary dysfunction.
Also, the level of the hormone in question decreases due to radiation therapy of a pituitary tumor, long-term use of certain medications ("Dopamine", "Levodol", etc.).
Conclusion
Today you learned more about such an important substance as prolactin (hormone): what it is, what functions it performs in the human body, what determines the increase or decrease in its level in the blood.
To prevent possible problems, you need to carefully monitor your he alth, respond in a timely manner to the slightest deviations from the normal state. The he alth of women, as well as men, is of great importance. It is on him that the birth of children, normal relationships with a partner and a happy family life depend. Take care of yourself and stay he althy!
