Prolactin is defined as a type of hormone secreted by the pituitary gland in the human brain. It is the hormone that enables women to develop mammary glands during pregnancy and to produce milk after birth. Therefore, prolactin is also referred to as the milk hormone. In men, an increase in prolactin rate causes problems such as decreased testosterone levels, unwillingness to have sex, decreased sperm quality and infertility.
Theprolactin test checks whether the hormone prolactin is high or low. It is recommended to perform the prolactin hormone test in the morning. Because the hormone is most active during these hours and can give the clearest result. People should not have sexual intercourse with their partners before the test. Because the hormone does not reflect its true value during sexual intercourse. The test is done through blood. Therefore, individuals should not eat anything before the test.
Why Does Prolactin Hormone Rise?
The prolactin hormone secreted during pregnancy helps the development of the mammary gland and the formation of breast milk. However, if pregnancy is not present, elevated prolactin indicates that there are some problems. The causes of high prolactin, also known as hyperprolactinemia , include benign tumors in the pituitary gland, polycystic ovary syndrome, kidney and liver disorders. Benign tumors in the pituitary gland and tumors called macroadenomas, which are more than 1 cm in size, cause hyperprolactinemia. A radiologist should be consulted for the detection of these tumors. The radiologist makes the diagnosis by MRI. For the treatment of micro and macroadenomas, medication is used instead of surgical procedures. However, pituitary tumors that do not have drug treatment or carry a risk are removed surgically. In addition, hyperprolactinemia occurs when the thyroid gland, called hypothyroidism , is not functioning properly and the TRH hormone, which secretes thyrotropin, acts. We can list some diseases that cause high prolactin as follows;
- Tightening of underwear
- Anxiety
- Sleep disturbance
- Psychological medications taken
- Pituitary gland tumor
- Lung cancer
- Not eating a balanced diet
- Breast disorders
- Endocrinological problems
In addition, continuous stimulation of the breast to see if there is milk in the nipple also causes an increase in prolactin levels.
What Causes High Prolactin?
The prolactin hormone, which helps breast tissue to develop and milk production to be ready during pregnancy, contributes to milk production with the stimulation of the breast after birth. However, increased prolactin value in women, except during pregnancy and puerperium; It causes problems such as menstrual irregularity, menstrual cessation, infertility, sexual reluctance. In men, hyperprolactinemia causes sexual reluctance, erection problems, infertility, loss of body hair and rare nipple discharge. In addition, it can cause headaches and vision problems at a level that affects the usual life of the individual.
How to Lower Prolactin?
The treatment process begins with the determination of the disease that causes prolactin to be elevated. In some sick individuals, avoiding stress, consuming healthy foods and having a sleep pattern, using non-tight underwear contributes to the decrease in prolactin level. Generally, after the condition causing hyperprolactinemia is treated, the hormone level normalizes. If there is a mass in the pituitary gland, this mass is reduced with the use of medication. However, if the mass is large, it is removed surgically.
Which diseases is the prolactin test used to diagnose?
Theprolactin test is measured by taking a blood sample from the person's arm. Excess prolactin hormone prevents ovulation. Therefore, conception may be more difficult than normal. But it does not prevent getting pregnant. Appropriate measures and treatments should be taken by specialists. We can list some of the situations in which the prolactin test is applied as follows;
- Thyroid problem
- Spiritual problems
- Ovulation problems
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding a baby
- Abstinence from sexuality
- Menstrual irregularity
