Health Blurbs

Both sexes have a little prolactin running around in their bloodstream all the time, kept in low level check by dopamine. Pregnancy is a cause for a significant prolactin level increase.  This action is a key factor for your after birth milk production, nature’s way to breastfeeding.

Hyperprolactinemia is a condition in which high blood levels of prolactin hormone is present in men and non-pregnant women.  This condition is relatively common in women of reproductive age.

Hyperprolactinemia high prolactin levels is a cause for:

• infertility
• impotence
• amenorrhea
• reduced libido
• irregular menstrual periods
• galactorrhea ~ breast milk production unrelated to childbirth

Galactorrhea is not only for women, men can experience it as well.

Hyperprolactinemia caused prolactin levels can be a result of:

• stress
• exercise
• some foods
• kidney disease
• hypothyroidism
• nipple stimulation
• hypothalamic disease
• sleep ~ prolactin levels highest at night
• herbs ~ fenugreek, fennel seeds, red clover
• pituitary tumors ~ 30% of all hyperprolactinemia cases
• chest wall trauma, irritation ~ tight bra, scars, shingles

Medications are known instigators for high prolactin levels, including:

• estrogens ~ menopause
• antidepressants ~ depression
• reserpine ~ high blood pressure
• methyldopa ~ high blood pressure
• H2 blockers ~ heartburn, GERD, peptic ulcer
• phenothiazines ~ mental, emotional disorders
• butyrophenones ~ psychiatric disorders, Parkinson’s disease
• metoclopramide ~ nausea & vomiting, heartburn, stomach pain,bloating, persistent fullness

For some, no cause is ever found for their hyperprolactinemia. And treatment for hyperprolactinemia largely depends on its cause.

Prolactinoma is a benign tumor in the area of your pituitary gland that produces prolactin, and is the most common type of pituitary tumor. This prevalent tumor can cause overproduction of prolactin, resulting in high levels of prolactin and corresponding low levels of estrogen in women and testosterone in men.

Symptoms for prolactinoma, when experienced, are the same as those for hyperprolactinemia plus headaches and vision changes.

When treatment for prolactinoma is necessary, it is often effectively treated with medications to restore your prolactin hormone levels back to normal by mimicking dopamine effects.

Bromocriptine and cabergoline are drugs used to reduce prolactin levels in both men and women. Usually taken for life, most responding with lower hormone levels. Bromocriptine may cause side effects, such as:

• fatigue
• headache
• dizziness
• constipation
• lightheadedness
• nasal congestion
• abdominal cramps
• nausea & vomiting

Cabergoline causes significantly fewer side effects, is more expensive and may have a heart valve issue with high doses.  Surgery to remove the pituitary tumor is a rarely required treatment option.

If pregnancy is in your future and you have a small prolactinoma, outlook is usually positive with drug treatment. However, your doctor should be in the loop regarding this healthy prolactin levels related subject.

• Cause for Premenstrual Syndrome and PMS Remedies for Relief
• What is a Menstrual Cycle and Signs of Vaginal Bleeding for Menstruation or Period
• About Hemophilia Abnormal Bleeding Symptoms (Signs) for Clotting Factor Treatment
• Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism and Thyrotoxicosis Causes of Thyroiditis Symptoms
• Bleeding Disorders Cause of Heavy Menstrual (Period) Bleeding, Nose Bleeds and Bruise Easily
• Cushings Disease and Syndrome Causes Puffy Face, Fatigue, Bruising Symptoms for Treatment
• Heavy, Excessive Menstruation and Painful Cramps Periods Causes for Natural Relief Treatment
• Heavy Menstrual (Period) Bleeding, Nose Bleeds and Bruise Easily Caused by Von Willebrand Disease
• Hashimoto Disease Causes, Weight Gain and Fatigue Symptoms for Treatment of Hashimotos Thyroiditis