In medicine, there is the concept of "hyperprolactinemia." Not everyone knows what this is and how it manifests itself. But recently, such a diagnosis has been made more and more often. Therefore, it is important to know the symptoms of this disorder, methods of treatment, as well as possible complications, so as not to miss the moment and turn to a qualified specialist in time.
Features of the disease
Hyperprolactinemia - what is it, how does it manifest itself, how is it treated? This question arises in people who first hear such a definition. Hyperprolactinemia is a condition characterized by elevated levels of the hormone prolactin in the blood. Prolactin produces the endocrine gland of the pituitary gland, which is considered the "leader" of the full functioning of the endocrine system. His responsibilities include regulating the functioning of:
- thyroid gland;
- testes and ovaries;
- adrenal glands.
Such a responsibility of the pituitary gland lies in the fact that, in addition to prolactin, it produces LH and FSH hormones.
The role of prolactin in the body
This hormone is responsible for reproduction. Prolactin promotes the growth and development of mammary glands. Its main task is to stimulate the formation of milk in a woman who has given birth. In men, this hormone is produced in smaller quantities.
Prolactin, along with other hormones (LH, FSH) in the body of a woman stimulates the formation of estrogens, which are responsible for the full maturation of the egg. The stability of the menstrual cycle and the probability of conception depend on them. If we talk about men, then thanks to these hormones testosterone is produced. Even sperm motility depends on prolactin.
Classification
Depending on the factors that provoked the development of hyperprolactinemia, it is customary in medicine to divide this condition into types:
1. Physiological. Prolactin levels increase due to normal processes in the human body. Diagnosed in newborns, pregnant and lactating women.
2. Pathological. The reason lies in a certain pathology. But, as practice shows, the pituitary tumor most often causes hyperprolactinemia .
3. Pharmacological. This condition is associated with taking medications, drugs.
4. Idiopathic. Hormone levels are rising for unknown reasons.
Pathogenesis
Physiological hyperprolactinemia occurs as a result of natural processes that occur in the human body daily. It provokes:
1. The period of pregnancy. In women closer to the 7th week of pregnancy, prolactin levels increase. This process continues throughout all 9 months, but after delivery (after 1–2 months), all indicators return to normal.
2. Sleep. When a person falls asleep, then after an hour in his blood level of prolactin rises, but after awakening it drops sharply.
3. Stressful situation. Stress is the factor that provokes disorders in the body, including the release of more hormones. In the case of prolactin, a stressful situation should be accompanied by a sharp decrease in blood pressure, a fainting state.
4. Physiological hyperprolactinemia in women occurs during sexual intercourse, any irritation of the mammary gland (especially during feeding the baby).
5. Eating protein foods.
6. Any effects on the body that cause pain.
Pathological hyperprolactinemia provokes:
1. Diseases of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland (considered the most common cause of this species).
2. Disorders in the hormonal background.
3. Received chest injury.
4. Frequent curettage of the uterine cavity.
5. Polycystic ovary syndrome.
6. Liver problems.
7. Renal failure.
8. Lupus erythematosus.
Pharmacological occurs due to the reception:
- antidepressants;
- contraceptives;
- antihypertensive drugs;
- antipsychotics.
Signs
Hyperprolactinemia in men manifests itself as follows:
- decreased potency;
- lactorrhea (excretion of colostrum or milk from the nipple);
- psycho-emotional instability;
- infertility
- osteoporosis;
- Obesity
- a decrease in the severity of secondary sexual characteristics.
Hyperprolactinemia manifests itself differently in all. Symptoms in women:
- menstrual irregularities;
- galactorrhea;
- infertility;
- decreased libido ;
- discomfort during intercourse caused by lack of lubrication;
- anorgasmia;
- acne
- seborrhea of the scalp;
- apoplexy;
- a woman acquires male features, her clitoris is hypertrophied, hair grows throughout the body.
What is special about hyperprolactinemia? Symptoms can be either single or combined with each other. The intensity of the symptoms is also different. For example, galactorrhea, which occurs in 80% of women with hyperprolactinemia, manifests itself as insignificant discharge from the nipple with intense pressure in some patients, and in others it provokes a sudden profuse discharge.
Mental manifestations
Hyperprolactinemia syndrome (another name for this condition) causes a person to have insomnia, memory problems. Disability is significantly reduced, although there are no obvious reasons for this. Other mental manifestations are:
- constant feeling of anxiety and fear;
- mood swings;
- irritability;
- psychoses (sometimes such conditions are critical, requiring the immediate assistance of a specialist);
- in rare cases, "heart melancholy" (as spontaneous chest pain without an organic base is called).
Children
Sometimes a child is diagnosed with hyperprolactinemia. What can this cause in the future? If we talk about the girl, then in adolescence she will have puberty disorders.
Both boys and girls face bone formation problems. The bones will be weak and fragile.
Survey
What examination does hyperprolactinemia require? The reasons that have been listed determine the need for such diagnostic methods:
- blood test for prolactin level;
- general analysis of urine and blood;
- skeleton scintigraphy;
- Ultrasound of the prostate;
- in women, ultrasound of the breast, ovaries, uterus;
- x-ray of the skull;
- CT
- MRI
With a blood test for prolactin level, you need to be very careful. For accuracy, it is passed on the 5-8 day of the menstrual cycle. Not always one analysis is enough to make a diagnosis. Hyperprolactinemia in women is often functional, so it is recommended to resort to this method of examination 3 times.
Treatment
Pharmacological hyperprolactinemia does not cause particular difficulties. Treatment consists only in the abolition of the drug (or its replacement), which caused the violation. Prolactin levels return to normal in a short period. If we talk about the physiological form, then it does not require any intervention.
Drug therapy
Dopaminomimetic drugs are the basis for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia. They act on the tumor, which provoked violations, reducing it. Sometimes it happens that drugs help to completely get rid of it. Subsequently, the level of prolactin in the blood normalizes.
Hypothyroidism requires the use of thyroid hormones. If the patient has hormonal disorders, then the doctor prescribes the appropriate hormonal drugs.
Operation
Surgical intervention is indicated in such cases:
- apoplexy;
- when drug therapy does not help or the necessary preparations are not suitable for the patient;
- deterioration from neuralgia.
Not always the operation gives the desired result. After it, hyperprolactinemia in half the cases returns. Also, the patient faces complications:
- during the operation, the optic nerve, pituitary leg or hypothalamus is damaged;
- cerebral hemorrhage may occur.
Radiation therapy
This treatment method is used only in extreme cases. Radiation therapy takes a lot of time and requires patience from the patient, because the process can last a year and a half. After this method of treatment, a person can get a hemorrhage in the brain, radiation damage to the nerves, as well as brain necrosis.
Folk methods
Some doctors recommend that their patients use traditional medicine recipes. But this happens only after the cause of this condition is established.
Popular methods:
- drink mint and chamomile tea several times a day;
- for stability of the emotional state it is necessary to use valerian, motherwort, hawthorn, St. John's wort (can be found in the pharmacy).
Alternative methods are recommended as an addition to the main drug treatment.
Complications
Hyperprolactinemia, the symptoms of which have not been taken into account for a long time, leads to mastopathy or malignant neoplasm in the mammary gland. Also, a woman is threatened with uterine hypoplasia.
How is hyperprolactinemia metabolism related? What does this condition do with metabolism? As it turns out, elevated prolactin levels can cause:
- atherosclerosis;
- hypertension
- Ischemic heart disease;
- osteoporosis;
- urolithiasis;
- diabetes mellitus.
Prevention
There are no exact indications that would help prevent hyperprolactinemia. A person should avoid stressful situations, have a good rest. An important role is played by a balanced diet, physical activity (playing sports, regular walking). It is necessary to abandon bad habits - alcohol and smoking. Coffee and strong tea should not be consumed with a diagnosis of hyperprolactinemia.
Symptoms in women, such as discharge of milk from the nipple outside of pregnancy, an irregular menstrual cycle, are not always alarming and become a reason for a doctor's consultation. But this is absolutely wrong! After all, such signs are a signal that there are disorders in the body that cannot be closed. This also applies to men. Therefore, you need to be more attentive to your health and not forget that any violations are justified in some way and can cause dangerous complications.