It's no secret that the normal hormonal background is extremely important for 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.
The average concentration of prolactin in the blood is about 15 ng / ml. It is interesting that it is ejected into the blood pulse - a woman has about 14 such emissions per day.
The effects of increased prolactin
In some cases, such changes in the hormonal background can be quite normal and natural. For example, pregnancy can increase prolactin. Of course, hormone levels are highest during lactation.
But if the increase is in no way associated 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 - spontaneous release of breast milk, the formation of which is not associated with fertilization. Sometimes such hormonal fluctuations lead to dryness of the vaginal mucosa.
By the way, the level of this hormone can increase in men. In 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 can 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 tumor of the pituitary gland of prolactinoma can increase prolactin. In addition, injuries and mechanical damage to the hypothalamic-pituitary region, as well as sarcoidosis, a cyst, and neurosyphilis, are considered risk factors. In some cases, the hormone level rises sharply after extensive surgery.
Of great importance in this case is the work of the endocrine system. Diseases of the endocrine glands (for example, hypothyroidism) lead to a malfunction of the hormonal background, which often affects the secretion of prolactin.
Some drugs can also increase prolactin. In particular, the wrong intake of hormonal drugs and drugs that block dopamine receptors (dopamine regulates prolactin secretion) often leads to this result.
Elevated Prolactin: Treatment
Therapy depends on the cause of the increase in hormone levels. Therefore, first conduct a complete diagnosis of the patient. If the problem is associated with hypothyroidism, then the woman is prescribed hormone replacement therapy. Prolactin levels are reduced with preparations containing bromocriptine (a substance that blocks the synthesis of this hormone). In the presence of a tumor, surgery is most often required.