The human body can be compared with a very complex mechanism in which each screw must be in its place, performing the function assigned to it. A special role in ensuring the functioning of this mechanism is played by the hormonal background. Hormones regulate all processes in the body. If the production of any hormone is knocked out of the norm, then the well-being is much worse. Take prolactin , for example . What is this hormone, how does an excess of its production affect a person, how to lower prolactin if necessary?
Prolactin and its functions
Prolactin is a hormone produced in the anterior pituitary gland. Other names for this hormone are often found in the medical literature: lactotropic, luteotropic, lactogenic, mammotropic, and so on.
The production of prolactin is directly related to reproductive function. Breast growth in girls, the appearance of milk in nursing mothers, the maintenance of the corpus luteum in the ovaries of a woman, the full formation of the embryo during pregnancy, and much more depend on it. This is not a complete list, but it is already possible to judge the importance of this hormone for a person. However, exceeding normal production also indicates health problems. What is the norm for a hormone like prolactin? How to lower its production if necessary?
Normal production rates for women
The production of prolactin in women varies depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle:
- for the follicular phase, the norm is considered an indicator from 4, 5 to 33 ng / ml;
- for the ovulatory phase, the normal value is 6.3 - 49 ng / ml;
- values from 4.9 to 40 ng / ml are normal for the luteal phase .
However, these values are valid only if the woman is not pregnant, since during pregnancy the level of prolactin is much higher.
When is it necessary to lower prolactin levels?
How to behave to a person if his pituitary gland has exceeded the production of a hormone such as prolactin? How to lower its level, in which case is it necessary?
Excess prolactin levels - hyperprolactinemia. Such a condition can have a physiological, pathological and pharmacological nature. Physiological enhancement is not a disease. The concentration of the hormone increases in the deep phase of sleep, at the time of increased physical activity, during lactation, during pregnancy, during sex, due to prolonged stress. In this case, an increase in the level of such a hormone as prolactin may be justified. How to lower this level, it is not necessary to know, because the body will regulate it itself.
An entirely different matter is pathological hyperprolactinemia. In this case, an increase in the concentration of the hormone can be a symptom of various diseases of the pituitary, hypothalamus, and other systems and organs.
The pharmacological nature of the increase in hormone levels may be associated with the use of antipsychotics, antiemetics, antihistamines, estrogens, and other drugs.
But information on how to lower prolactin may come in handy. Especially if the patient begins to experience some discomfort due to his level. A person must consciously avoid a deterioration in the quality of life. It is advisable to consult with qualified specialists on this subject.
The main symptoms of increased prolactin in women
The most common question is how to lower prolactin in women? The main symptoms of excess prolactin concentration are:
- a sharp increase in the mammary glands; however, the process can affect both both and one breast;
- milk excretion in non-breastfeeding women;
- changing the timing and duration of the menstrual cycle;
- weight gain, up to obesity;
- decrease in sensitivity during sex, up to frigidity;
- increased hair growth in the nipple, face, lower abdomen;
- deterioration of the body's hard tissues. Frequent bone fractures, caries.
These symptoms should make you visit a doctor and find out what is associated with a change in hormonal levels. In addition to the prescribed treatment, it will be possible to use recipes of traditional medicine, which gives many tips on how to lower prolactin in women. The main thing is to reasonably combine medical and folk therapy to successfully cope with the problem.
Why can't I get pregnant?
High prolactin levels can affect a woman's menstrual cycle. Often, this indicator is the reason for the lack of ovulation, causing infertility. After the examination, the question often arises for patients: how to lower prolactin in order to become pregnant?
With slight increases in concentration having a physiological nature, it may be sufficient to change jobs to reduce physical activity, leave professional or amateur sports, calm down and avoid stressful situations. If the level of prolactin is too high, then the reason is pathological, and it is necessary to overcome the underlying disease, which causes an increase in the concentration of the hormone. Very often this is the surgical removal of tumors, followed by treatment.
ethnoscience
How to lower prolactin to get pregnant? Folk remedies in this case are aimed at stabilizing the emotional state. First of all, it is necessary to overcome nervous tension and insomnia. In this case, a calming collection helps, which will include mint, hops, valerian root, a little motherwort. Herbs are brewed like tea and drunk at night. There may be a bit of hawthorn and hypericum in a calming collection, but it is often not worth consuming these herbs.
An excellent anti-stress effect is possessed by an alcoholic extract of the bar. It allows you to normalize the hormonal background with a slight imbalance, and improves well-being due to the content of vitamins, organic acids and essential oils.
To relieve nervous tension, you can use decoctions and infusions of elderberry. You can also eat homemade jelly and jelly from this berry.
However, it is always necessary to remember that traditional medicine will not help completely eliminate the problem, but only slightly correct the hormonal background, therefore, the implementation of medical prescriptions and adherence to the daily regimen are very important factors in the fight against increased prolactin.
Prolactin in men
Many would have thought that prolactin is present only in the female body. But this is an erroneous opinion. In the male body, this hormone also plays an important role. Here he is also responsible for reproductive function, affects the formation of testosterone and the secretion of the prostate gland.
The question of how to lower prolactin in men arises in the following cases:
- with atypical enlargement of the mammary glands;
- with frequent cases of erectile dysfunction;
- in case of problems with conception, due to a decrease in sperm motility;
- with frequent headaches with visual impairment.
The main causes of increased prolactin in the body of men
High levels of prolactin in the blood of men can be concentrated in the following cases: tumors in the pituitary gland, taking antidepressants, taking drugs to reduce pressure, various kinds of irritation in the sternum (surgical scars, uncomfortable underwear, skin diseases), eating certain foods, stress, hypothyroidism and so on.
How to lower prolactin in men? Food should not contain too much protein. Eating should be regular, you can not allow prolonged fasting. Physical activity (hard work and sports) should be brought back to normal. Overvoltage is not worth it. It is necessary to avoid stressful situations and calm the excited nerves. This can be done with the same set of herbs that are recommended for women (excluding hops). In addition, a man must observe the regimen of the day and be sure to get enough sleep, because insomnia also increases the concentration of prolactin.
If these measures do not lead to the desired result, then it is necessary to take medicines, remove tumors and adjust the thyroid gland. You can’t hesitate to consult a doctor, since only a doctor can determine why prolactin is elevated, how to lower its concentration and how to restore normal production.