Symptoms of increased prolactin in women
The peptide hormone that is produced in the anterior pituitary gland is called prolactin.Prolactin is produced not only in the female, but also in the male body.Science still can not figure out what role this hormone plays in the body - it is found in the ovaries, muscles, pancreas, lungs, mammary glands and many other organs.
All about prolactin
In general, prolactin is a hormone that is carefully studied by doctors and scientists. We already know a lot about it:
- Medicine insists that the hormone in question regulates and supports the formation of milk from a woman.
- Due to prolactin, a nursing woman does not have menstruation, which prevents a new pregnancy immediately after birth.
- During pregnancy, this hormone prepares the mammary gland, stimulates the growth of glandular lobules.
- During pregnancy, prolactin protects the fetus from the mother's immune system.
- In the last three months of pregnancy, due to prolactin, the lungs of the unborn child are preparing to take the first breath.
- If the level of the considered hormone in the blood is too high, then the person has a threshold of pain sensitivity.
- During sexual intercourse it is prolactin that makes it possible to test orgasm.
- The highest concentration of prolactin is observed during sleep, or early in the morning.
And doctors know that increasing the level of the hormone in question is characterized by specific symptoms - pathology is easy to identify.
Prolactin levels in women
In nonpregnant women who do not breastfeed, the World Health Organization has established prolactin levels ranging from 4 to 22.8 ng / ml.
For pregnant women, if the gestation period is more than 8 weeks, the prolactin levels are different from 35 to 385 ng / ml.
Symptoms of high prolactin level
Signs of high levels of prolactin include:
- Infertility;
- hyperprolactinaemia;
- disorders of the menstrual cycle;
- galactorrhea.
Galactorrhea
This symptom is characterized by the release of milk or colostrum from the mammary glands, engorgement and swelling of the breast.
A woman should remember that the secretion of milk from the mammary glands regulates several different hormones, so "blaming" in this situation only prolactin is unreasonable.To find out the true cause of galactorrhea, you need to see a doctor for a complete examination.
Breaking the menstrual cycle
If the level of prolactin is elevated, a woman may have scanty periods, or there may be an indefinite delay.This condition is similar to that of a nursing mother.
Hyperprolactinemia
It is remarkable that as soon as the prolactin level rises, the woman absolutely does not feel it.But on some changes you need to pay attention - for example, on the sudden growth of the mammary glands, the progression of mastopathy, the fragility of bones( osteoporosis) increases, the vagina becomes dry.
Infertility
Just this mechanism is well studied - a high concentration of prolactin in the body delays ovulation, and pregnancy simply does not occur.
It can not be said that the cause of infertility is a high level of prolactin - you need to do a full examination in the clinic.
Recommended to read: 
Symptoms of increased prolactin - what should I do?
If a woman has at least one symptom of the condition in question, then first of all she needs to turn to the gynecologist.Only a specialist will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and choose the right treatment - an increased level of prolactin is sufficiently successfully corrected by modern medicines.
You will definitely need to undergo a test, which the doctor will appoint.And remember - if you have to pass the test for prolactin, then two days before the appointed day you can not eat sweet, you need to give up sex, exercise and taking medications that are able to regulate the level of prolactin.
If a doctor prescribes some medicines for a woman, they should be taken not only in the recommended dosage, but also in a full course.Even if the symptoms have disappeared after taking the drug, and the duration of the course has not yet ended, you can not interrupt the use of funds.
Do not use any specific medications that can increase the level of prolactin - this refers to hormonal contraceptives, tranquilizers, antidepressants.
A high level of prolactin in a woman leads to quite complex disorders of the entire body.Therefore, doctors argue that with the first symptoms of the condition in question, a woman should simply undergo a clinical examination and receive adequate advice from a doctor.
Tsygankova Yana Aleksandrovna, medical reviewer, therapeutist of the highest qualification category
