Prolactin is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland, which is placed in the brain and stimulates the secretion of milk to breastfeed after childbirth. It also blocks the ovulation process while breastfeeding, preventing a second pregnancy before the mother’s body recovers.
Having a high prolactin level is called hyperprolactinemia, which involves alterations in the menstrual cycle, anovulatory cycles, infertility and discharge of milk from the breasts in women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding. Hence the importance of its study before starting any ART treatment: insemination or In Vitro Fertilization (IVF / ICSI), because sometimes just correcting the levels of this hormone, reverts the cycles to normal and pregnancy happens naturally.
Causes of hyperprolactinemia:
– Physiological: insomnia, stress, excessive exercise, manipulation of the breasts.
– Diseases: hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
– Medication: antidepressants, antinausea drugs.
– Rarely: pituitary tumors called prolactinomas, which can be controlled, in most cases, with medication.
The diagnosis of hyperprolactinemia is made by measuring the level of prolactin (PRL) in the blood. The concentration in non-pregnant or breastfeeding women is less than 29 ng / ml. This rate may vary depending on the laboratory and the units of measurement.
Indications for measuring prolactin in the blood:
1.- delays or absent of menstrual cycles (Amenorrhea)
2.- milk secretion while non pregnant nor breastfeeding (Galactorrhea)
3.- in all assisted reproduction treatments
When a high prolactin level remains unexplained, a pituitary magnetic resonance (MRI) will assess the existence of a prolactin-producing pituitary adenoma.
CONCLUSIONS
Whenever there is a change in the menstrual cycle, with or without secretion of milk, it is important to determine the level of prolactin in the blood.
It should be taken into account that the increase of this hormone can be caused by medication intake.
Once hyperprolactinemia and its origin have been diagnosed, the cause should be treated to balance prolactin levels and thus restore normal menstrual cycles and fertility. Pregnancy can then occur naturally or using assisted reproduction techniques such as artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization (IVF / ICSI).
Please, send your questions at: https://www.centromedicomanzanera.com/en/formulario_en/
Gregorio Manzanera
IMAGE: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322279
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