Is your period irregular? Is it late even though you're expecting a baby? Or is there a milky fluid coming from your breasts? The reason for these things could be a small hormone in your body. That hormone is called prolactin. You may have heard of this name. Today, we'll talk about this very simply, in a way that you can understand.
Simply put, what is prolactin?
Prolactin is a hormone produced by our bodies. To be precise, it is produced by the pituitary gland, a small gland located at the base of our brain. It is also called lactotropin. Although this hormone is involved in hundreds of functions in our body, it has two main functions.
1. Helps develop breast tissue: This hormone is essential for the development of the mammary glands in the breasts, especially during pregnancy.
2. Lactation: After the baby is born, the process of producing milk from the mother's breasts and delivering it to the baby is controlled mainly by the hormone prolactin.
Think about it, during pregnancy, the three hormones prolactin, estrogen, and progesterone work together to prepare the breasts for milk production. After the baby is born, when the baby sucks on the mother's breast, it sends a signal to the brain to produce more prolactin. This is a wonderful process. Each time the baby sucks, more prolactin is produced, so the baby continues to get the amount of milk he needs.
Why do these prolactin levels change?
Prolactin levels are not always the same. Sometimes it increases naturally, and sometimes it can increase due to medical conditions.
Cases of naturally elevated prolactin
In these cases, prolactin levels increase temporarily, that is, for a short time. This is normal and is not a cause for concern.
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding: This is the most important time.
- Physical Stress: When you feel extreme pain.
- After exercise: After a good workout.
- After eating.
- After sex.
- Breast stimulation: For reasons other than breastfeeding.
- An injury to the chest area: due to something like an accident.
- When a seizure occurs.
Abnormally high prolactin (Hyperprolactinemia)
Sometimes, prolactin levels can be high for a long time without any specific reason. This condition is medically called hyperprolactinemia . The main cause of this is a condition called prolactinoma . This is a small, non-cancerous tumor that develops in the pituitary gland. This tumor causes the gland to produce more prolactin than it needs.
The important thing is that there are effective treatments for many of these conditions. So the best thing to do is to be aware of the symptoms and see a doctor if necessary.
When prolactin levels are abnormally high, women and men may experience different symptoms.
| Symptoms in women | Symptoms in men |
|---|---|
| Irregular or complete cessation of menstrual cycles. | Decreased sexual desire. |
| Difficulty having children (infertility). | Erectile dysfunction. |
| Galactorrhea (milky discharge from the breasts when not pregnant). | Infertility caused by low sperm count. |
| Decreased sexual desire. | Rarely breast development. |
| Vaginal dryness. | Decreased hair growth on the body and face. |
Let's also learn about the decrease in prolactin levels?
Unless you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your prolactin levels are usually low. So it is not a problem. The only time that you should be concerned about abnormally low prolactin levels is if you do not produce milk after your baby is born.
This could be due to a rare condition called hypopituitarism. But remember, there are many other reasons why you may not be producing enough milk for your baby. So, if you have a problem like this, it is best to see a doctor or a lactation consultant for advice.
How are prolactin levels measured?
It's very simple. Your doctor can measure your prolactin levels with a simple blood test . This is called a prolactin test (PRL test). It's best to get a blood sample for this test in the morning.
What are normal prolactin levels?
This table contains generally accepted values. However, these values may vary slightly from lab to lab. So compare the values in your report with the values in your report.
| Person | Normal prolactin level (ng/mL) |
|---|---|
| Men | Less than 20 ng/mL |
| Women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding | Less than 25 ng/mL |
| Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers | Between 80 and 400 ng/mL |
If you have any concerns about your results, talk to your doctor about it.
When should I see a doctor?
If you have the symptoms of high prolactin levels that we discussed earlier (such as irregular periods, infertility, and breast milk), be sure to see your doctor . He or she can examine you and, if necessary, order a blood test to find the cause.
Prolactin is a hormone that is essential for pregnancy and breastfeeding. Other than that, we don't think much about it until we experience unusual symptoms. But if you have any concerns about changes in your body, especially your fertility, don't be afraid to talk to a doctor about it. They are there to help you.
Take-Home Message
- Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in our brain. Its main function is to help with breast milk production.
- Prolactin levels naturally increase during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Abnormally high prolactin levels (Hyperprolactinemia) can cause symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, and milky discharge from the breasts.
- If you have any of these symptoms, don't be afraid to see your doctor for advice. A simple blood test can tell you your level.
- There are effective treatments for many conditions that cause elevated prolactin levels.
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