( 05 SEP 2020 )

In the middle of the head lies a small pituitary gland that comprises lactotroph cells, which produce prolactin – a hormone that helps stimulating breast milk in women, known as lactation. However, when the pituitary gland produces an excess of prolactin, it causes several issues.

There is a possibility that too much prolactin can be produced in both men and women. In this post, get to know more about this dysfunction.

What is Hyperprolactinemia?
Prolactin is one hormone that pituitary gland produces. It helps to stimulate and maintain the production of breast milk. As far as hyperprolactinemia is concerned, it is a situation when prolactin is produced in excess.

Generally, a majority of women go through this situation when producing milk for breastfeeding or even during pregnancy. However, specific medications or conditions can create a situation of hyperprolactinemia in any person. The effects and causes of too much prolactin production depend upon gender.

Causes of Hyperprolactinemia:
An increased level of prolactin could be produced because of several secondary conditions. Often, the reason for this situation is pregnancy. If the same is the cause with you, then it is regarded as completely normal.

However, apart from that, pituitary gland tumours, known as prolactinoma, could be the cause behind hyperprolactinemia as well. Although these tumours are non-cancerous but can cause symptoms that could be different for every person.

Keeping the pregnancy and tumours aside, other reasons behind the situation of hyperprolactinemia are:

• Consuming anti-nausea medication
• Acid H2 blockers
• Hypothalamus trauma, tumour or infection
• Consuming antihypertensive medication
• Cushing syndrome
• Abnormal levels of estrogen
• Cirrhosis
• Taking antidepressant drugs
• High blood pressure
• Heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux
• Birth control pills

Symptoms of Hyperprolactinemia:
As far as symptoms are concerned, hyperprolactinemia acts differently in men and women. Since the levels of prolactin impact menstrual cycles and milk production, it might be quite arduous to detect the same in men.

In case a man is dealing with the dysfunction of erectile, doctors may suggest a blood test to look for the signs of excessive prolactin. However, other symptoms to look for are:

• Changes in vision
• Abnormal growth of breast
• Headaches
• Lactation
• Loss of sexual drive
• Infertility
• Erectile dysfunction
• In females, one the other hand, some of the basic symptoms are:
• Irregular periods
• Infertility
• Paused menstrual cycle
• Changes in menstrual flow
• Vaginal dryness
• Libido loss
• Breast pain
• Lactation

Diagnosis of Hyperprolactinemia:
One of the typical methods to diagnose hyperprolactinemia is a blood test. In case somebody is tested positive but doesn't have any of the symptoms mentioned above, there are chances that the test could have picked up larger than normal prolactins or macroprolactinomas molecules.

This type of prolactin impacts the body in a different manner; thus, treatment and management would also differ. Or depending upon the situation, consuming medicines and undergoing treatment may not be necessary.

Takeaway:
Generally, hyperprolactinemia can be treated. But the cure depends upon the reason or cause of excessive secretion of prolactin. In case you are diagnosed with a tumour, you would have to undergo a surgery to remove that and get the pituitary gland back to normal.

Also, if you have irregular lactation, loss of sexual drive or erectile dysfunction, you can check with your doctor and communicate all of the symptoms so as to perform the required tests to discover the cause and get the treatment started.