A woman is considered healthy when her hormonal system is also healthy. Increased prolactin is a serious abnormality that can bring a huge number of problems. Any representative of the weaker sex of reproductive age may encounter such a phenomenon that can make her not only sick, but also childless. In this article, we will talk about the symptoms, treatment methods, causes and consequences of increased prolactin in women. Carefully read the information presented in order to arm yourself and protect yourself as much as possible.
What is prolactin and what is its role in the female body?
Prolactin can be called the female sex hormone, which is produced by the pituitary gland, as well as some other tissues and organs. He has the greatest influence on the reproductive capabilities of the female body. It contributes to the woman being able to successfully bear her baby, and is also responsible for the process of delaying ovulation and the onset of the lactation process.
This hormone (you can read about the treatment of increased prolactin in women in this article) is able to exert an active influence on many biological processes in the woman’s body. Let's consider which ones:
- helps to prevent a woman from becoming pregnant while she is breastfeeding her baby naturally;
- this hormone is also a natural painkiller and, if necessary, can even lower the sensitivity threshold;
- the hormone helps to increase the mammary glands so that the woman can feed her newborn baby;
- It also contributes to the normalization of metabolic processes in the body and is responsible for the smooth flow of the menstrual cycle.
Causes of Elevated Prolactin in Women
The consequences of this phenomenon can be really terrible, so it is very important to understand what are the reasons for increasing prolactin. By doing this, you can maintain your health, as well as the health of your future baby. Of course, slight fluctuations in the amount of this hormone will not be able to pose a significant threat to your health. Treatment for increased prolactin in women should be started immediately.
So, let's consider what factors can contribute to an increase in the level of this hormone:
- Stressful situations. Do not forget that stress almost always contributes to disruptions in the hormonal system of the body.
- The use of alcoholic beverages, as well as the performance of excessive physical exertion.
- The level of this hormone rises significantly directly during pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding. In this case, this condition is considered quite normal.
- Frequent visits to baths and saunas.
- Shortly before diagnostic measures, sexual intercourse may also be the reason that prolactin is increased in women (how to lower the level of this hormone, you can read further).
- Also, the use of certain medicinal drugs, in particular, psychotropic drugs, can affect the level of female hormones.
This hormone is also called the “stress hormone”, as its level always rises if the body is under stressful conditions.
What pathologies indicate that the hormonal state is disturbed
Prolactin levels can increase not only under the influence of physiological and psychological reasons, but also due to the presence of certain pathologies in the body. Consider, for what pathological reasons, the level of prolactin in the female body can change:
- The appearance of tumor formations in the part of the brain that is responsible for the production of this hormone.
- Treatment of increased prolactin in women should be to eradicate the cause of this phenomenon. Quite often, the level of this hormone is elevated if a woman has malfunctions in the hormonal background, namely, thyroid disease.
- Also, the problem may appear due to the presence of serious pathologies of the liver and kidneys, as well as with polycystic ovaries.
High hormone levels in pregnant women
Treatment of increased prolactin in women should not be carried out if such a condition is observed in the representative of the fair sex during the bearing of the child or in the lactation period. This condition is considered absolutely normal. After all, prolactin is considered a hormone of the reproductive system, which means that it prepares the woman’s body for childbirth and helps the expectant mother to feed her baby.
The hormone prolactin is actively involved in the process of fetal formation, and is also responsible for the baby’s immune system. At the same time, it provides the production of breast milk.
Usually, during pregnancy, doctors do not study this hormone, as they know that doing this is pointless.
Signs of increased prolactin in women
Usually an elevated level of this hormone is always accompanied by certain symptoms. However, in some cases, the symptoms are so erased and ambiguous that the patient does not see any need to see a doctor, which only worsens his condition. Consider the main signs of increased prolactin in women:
- prolonged absence of menstruation;
- a woman cannot conceive a child for a long time;
- the presence of milk secretions from the chest that are not associated with a lactation period;
- quick and sharp weight gain;
- complete absence of the ovulation process;
- the presence of severe and frequent headaches;
- decreased sexual desire;
In fact, it is almost impossible to independently diagnose the problem, since these symptoms are inherent in just a huge number of other pathologies.
What is the danger?
Many women are interested in the question of what threatens increased prolactin in women. In fact, the main danger lies in the presence of a disease, due to which the level of this hormone in the body has increased. In itself, an elevated state does not pose a serious danger, but only on condition that it arose as a result of physiological changes in the body.
If some diseases are ignored for a long time, then a woman may experience ovarian dysfunction. In this case, her periods will disappear and discharge from the mammary glands may occur.
Most often, prolactin levels increase in the presence of benign tumors and cysts in those areas of the brain that are responsible for the synthesis of this hormone. Keep in mind, such formations can turn from benign to malignant, which will result in death. A tumor in the brain will provoke the production of a large amount of prolactin, and this will lead to severe headaches and even partial or complete blindness.
Diagnostic measures
It is very important to study what affects increased prolactin in women. Improper production of this hormone has many negative consequences, including death. Therefore, be sure to consult a doctor in order to check the status of your hormonal system. You can contact an endocrinologist or a gynecologist, they will direct you to take tests. The first thing you will need to do is to take a blood test to determine the hormonal background. If the results are poor, the doctor will also give you an ultrasound scan, and may also recommend an MRI of the brain.
Many representatives of the fair half of humanity ask the question: "What if prolactin is elevated in women?" Of course, urgently go to the hospital and not try to self-medicate. Only an experienced doctor will help to make an accurate diagnosis, as well as prescribe treatment, taking into account the individual characteristics of your body.
Therapeutic measures
If during diagnostic measures it was found that the level of prolactin in women is increased, it is very important to start immediate treatment aimed at eliminating the pathologies that caused this condition.
If the patient has a tumor in the brain, then the doctor will prescribe an urgent drug treatment, which is most often carried out quite successfully. However, in some cases, it is still necessary to take more radical measures, so specialists can decide on surgical intervention.
Most often, in order for the prolactin level to return to normal, doctors prescribe various medications to their patients. "Dostinex" with increased prolactin in women is very popular, since this remedy really copes with its purpose.
There are also such medicines as Bromocriptine, Cybergoline, Pergolid, and many others. Please note that they can only be used as prescribed by your doctor. Self-medication can lead to complications and bad consequences.
Typically, the course of treatment with these drugs lasts for two months, and during this time the hormonal background of the body improves. The use of the drug treatment method can quickly eliminate the symptoms. However, if conservative treatment does not give positive results and the patient has a growing brain tumor, doctors strongly recommend urgent surgery.
Features of diet
The diet with increased prolactin in women is not very prescribed by specialists. Scientists today have not been able to determine whether there are any products that allow women to lower prolactin levels in the body. However, there is a certain list of products that should not be abused. We present to your attention a list of products that increase prolactin in women:
- cottage cheese;
- eggs
- fatty fish;
- beans, peas and other legumes;
- various varieties of cheeses.
As you can see, this list consists of protein products. It is the proteins that are able to slightly increase the production of prolactin. However, in no case do not completely exclude protein foods from your diet. Try to just eat more rationally. Eat as much vegetables and herbs as possible, and also include nuts and seeds in your diet.
How to lower prolactin levels without medication
Usually, a method to reduce prolactin levels without the use of medications is used if you need to interrupt the lactation process. This can be done using several effective methods:
- applying a tight bandage in the area of the mammary glands;
- decrease in the amount of fluid used;
- gradual weaning of the baby from the chest by increasing the time intervals between feeding;
There are also alternative methods of lowering prolactin in women. This includes the use of herbal teas, which have a diuretic effect on the body, as well as the use of decoctions and tinctures that have a sedative effect on the nervous system. It is also recommended that you try to drink anti-inflammatory drugs, they include components that help reduce prolactin production.
Preventative measures
With an elevated level of this hormone, it is very important to strictly follow all the recommendations of your attending physician and in no case self-medicate. So, let's consider what needs to be done in order for the hormonal system to be in a normal state:
- minimize the use of alcohol and tobacco;
- regularly exercise, but keep track of their intensity; it’s better to do a little sport, but every day, than do it once a week, but at a very intense pace;
- try to avoid stressful situations; normalize the mode of rest and work, and also refuse the use of psychotropic medicines;
- pay attention to your diet; use only foods that are good for your health by properly distributing the amount of protein, fat and carbohydrate you consume.
Adhering to these simple recommendations, you can quickly restore your hormonal background. Remember that your most important task is to establish your own lifestyle and not delay the visit to the doctor.
findings
The hormone prolactin can be very dangerous for women's health. Its increased production may indicate the presence of dangerous pathological processes in the body, so be sure to consult a gynecologist (or endocrinologist) to check the status of your hormonal system. Keep in mind that any disease is always much easier to prevent than to cure later, so carefully monitor your health. As soon as you start taking care of yourself, your body will begin to take care of you. If you feel any discomfort, then do not be afraid to see a doctor, undergo an examination and pass all the necessary tests. Love yourself, take care of yourself, and then you will not be afraid of any pathology. Be healthy!