You may or may not have heard of the word 'prolactin'. But this is a hormone that performs many important functions in our bodies, especially in women's bodies. To be precise, this hormone is essential for a mother to produce milk for her baby. So let's take a look at what this prolactin is, what it does to our bodies, and what happens if it increases or decreases. Let's talk about everything in simple terms.
What does prolactin do to our body?
Simply put, the hormone prolactin is involved in hundreds of functions in our body. But there are two main ones . Let's see what they are.
- The first is to help develop the milk-producing mammary glands in the breasts.
- The second is to support milk production and lactation and breastfeeding after the baby is born.
These are the two main things. Apart from these, this friend called prolactin helps with many other small tasks.
How to help breast growth and lactation
Now let's see how this happens. When you are pregnant, the hormone prolactin, along with two other hormones called estrogen and progesterone, work together to grow breast tissue and prepare the breasts for milk production. Specifically, these hormones work together to develop the little sacs inside the breasts that make milk, called mammary alveoli. It is inside these milk sacs that milk is produced and stored.
After the baby is born, the number of receptors in these milk follicle cells that respond to the prolactin hormone increases. This means that prolactin has more opportunities to act. This is why milk starts to come out of the nipple (lactation). Isn't it a wonderful mechanism?
Prolactin during pregnancy and after childbirth
Prolactin is a very special hormone. The reason for that is the process called positive feedback loop . Do you know what that is? Think of it this way, when a baby sucks milk, that stimulation sends a signal to the pituitary gland to 'produce more prolactin'. Then the pituitary gland produces more prolactin. When prolactin increases, milk production also increases. The more the baby sucks, the more milk comes. That's what this positive feedback loop is called. That is, an action increases that action even more. The baby sucking the nipple is the main stimulus for the release of more prolactin.
How is prolactin produced? Where does it come from?
The majority of prolactin produced in your body comes from a small gland located at the base of your brain called the pituitary gland. This gland is what makes prolactin and releases it into your body.
But there are also people who control this prolactin production. That is the neurotransmitter called Dopamine and the hormone called Estrogen. These two are the ones who decide how much prolactin to make and when to release it. It's like a traffic policeman, stopping when necessary and letting it go when necessary.
What are the possible causes of changes in prolactin levels?
Prolactin levels are not always the same. Sometimes they fluctuate naturally.
It is normal for prolactin levels to be slightly elevated.
It is normal for prolactin levels to increase during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, there are other times when prolactin levels may be slightly elevated temporarily, meaning for a short period of time . These include:
- Physical stress: For example, when you feel severe pain.
- When exercising.
- After eating a meal.
- After sexual intercourse.
- Nipple stimulation unrelated to breastfeeding: It can be caused by certain clothing or for other reasons.
- If there is any injury to the chest area.
- If a seizure-like condition occurs.
Even though prolactin levels may be slightly elevated during this time, they usually return to normal after a while. There's nothing to worry about.
Prolactin levels that have been elevated for a long time (hyperprolactinemia)
But sometimes, due to certain medical conditions or certain medications, prolactin levels can be abnormally high for a long time, that is, for a long time. This is the condition we call hyperprolactinemia .
The main cause of this is a condition called prolactinoma . This is a small tumor that develops in the pituitary gland, specifically a pituitary adenoma . However, this is not cancer, but a benign, treatable tumor in most cases.
Some symptoms that may occur when you have hyperprolactinemia are:
- Infertility: This means inability to conceive .
- Loss of interest in sex.
- A milky fluid discharge from the nipples even when not breastfeeding (Galactorrhea).
- Irregular periods in women: Menstrual irregularities.
- Erectile dysfunction in men.
If you have symptoms like these, it's very important to see a doctor, as there are good treatments for this condition.
Can prolactin levels be abnormally low?
Yes, sometimes prolactin levels can be abnormally low. But this is often a problem after having a baby. Because, unless you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your prolactin levels are usually low. That is a healthy state.
So, the only sign that prolactin is abnormally low is the lack of breast milk production after the baby is born, or the milk supply is very low.
In this case, the cause may be a rare condition called hypopituitarism , which is a condition in which your pituitary gland does not produce one or more hormones properly.
But one thing to remember is that breastfeeding is a very complex process. There can be many reasons for low milk supply. So if you have a problem like not enough milk, it's best to see a doctor or a breastfeeding consultant.
How do you check prolactin levels? What kind of test is done?
You can get a blood test to find out what your prolactin levels are. This is called a prolactin (PRL) test .
If you have symptoms that suggest you may have high prolactin levels, as mentioned earlier (for example, milky discharge from your nipples when you're not breastfeeding, irregular menstrual cycles), your doctor may recommend that you have this prolactin test.
This test also helps to see how the pituitary gland is functioning.
What should normal prolactin levels be like?
Let's look at some of the normal values for a healthy person's prolactin levels. However, these values can vary slightly from lab to lab. Therefore, it is important to look at the normal range in your report.
These are the generally accepted values:
- For men: Should be less than 20 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter).
- For women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding: Should be less than 25 ng/mL.
- For pregnant or breastfeeding women: The range can be between 80 ng/mL and 400 ng/mL.
If you have any questions about the values in your report, it's always best to ask your doctor.
When should you see a doctor about prolactin?
If you have symptoms that suggest you may have high prolactin levels (e.g. irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, milky discharge from your nipples), see a doctor immediately. Your doctor can check your prolactin levels with a simple blood test.
Also, if you have any breastfeeding issues, such as low milk supply, see a lactation consultant or a lactation specialist. They can provide you with the help and guidance you need.
Prolactin is a very important hormone during pregnancy and breastfeeding. At other times, we may not think much about it, but it's good to be aware of the symptoms of abnormally high prolactin levels. If you have any doubts or questions about this, don't be afraid to talk to a doctor. They are there to help you.
Remember as a summary (Take-Home Message)
So, I hope you have a good idea about prolactin from what we have discussed today.
Prolactin is an important hormone produced by our pituitary gland that primarily helps with breastfeeding and breast development.
- This level usually increases during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Sometimes, hyperprolactinemia , a condition in which prolactin levels are persistently elevated, can occur. The main cause of this is prolactinoma .
- If you have symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, or milk coming from your nipples when you're not breastfeeding , it could be a sign of increased prolactin.
- If there is no milk production after having a baby, it could be a sign of prolactin deficiency.
- If you have any of these signs or concerns, the best thing to do is to seek medical advice. Don't worry, there are treatments for many of these conditions.
It's important to take care of your body and your health. So, we hope this information is useful to you!
` Prolactin, hormones, lactation, breast milk, pituitary gland, hyperprolactinemia, women's health
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