Hyperprolactinemia - what is it? How is hyperprolactinemia manifested? Treatment

In medicine there is the concept of "hyperprolactinemia". What this is and how it manifests itself, not everyone knows. But recently such a diagnosis is being made increasingly. Therefore it is important to know the symptoms of this disorder, the methods of treatment, as well as possible complications, so as not to miss the moment and in time to contact a qualified specialist.

Features of the disease

Hyperprolactinemia - what is it, how it manifests itself, how it is treated? This question arises in people who first hear such a definition. Hyperprolactinemia is a condition characterized by an elevated level of the prolactin hormone in the blood. Prolactin produces endocrine gland of the pituitary gland, which is considered the "head" of the full work of the endocrine system. His duties include regulating the functioning of:

• thyroid gland;
• Testicles and ovaries;
• Adrenal glands.

This responsibility of the pituitary gland lies in the fact that it, in addition to prolactin, produces hormones of LH and FSH.

The role of prolactin in the body

This hormone is responsible for reproduction. Prolactin promotes growth and development of mammary glands. Its main task is to stimulate the formation of milk from a woman who gave birth. In the body of a man, this hormone is produced in less quantity.

Prolactin together with other hormones (LH, FSH) in the body of a woman stimulates the formation of estrogens, which are responsible for the full maturation of the egg. They depend on the stability of the menstrual cycle, the probability of conception. If we talk about men, then thanks to these hormones, testosterone is produced. Even sperm motility depends on prolactin.

Classification

Depending on the factors that provoked the development of hyperprolactinemia, it is customary in medicine to divide this condition into species:

1. Physiological. The level of prolactin is increased because of normal processes in the human body. Diagnose in newborns, pregnant and lactating women.

2. Pathological. The reason lies in a certain pathology. But, as practice shows, most often causes hyperprolactinemia, a pituitary tumor.

3. Pharmacological. This condition is associated with taking medications, drugs.

4. Idiopathic. The level of the hormone increases for unknown reasons.

Pathogenesis

Physiological hyperprolactinemia occurs as a result of natural processes that occur in the human body daily. It provokes:

1. The period of pregnancy. At women closer to 7 weeks of pregnancy the level of prolactin increases. This process continues for all 9 months, but after giving birth (in 1-2 months) all the indicators come back to normal.

2. Sleep. When a person falls asleep, an hour later in his blood, the level of prolactin rises, but after waking up sharply falls.

3. Stressful situation. Stress is the factor that provokes violations in the body, including the release of more hormones. In the case of prolactin, the stressful situation should be accompanied by a sharp decrease in blood pressure, an unconscious condition.

4. Physiological hyperprolactinemia in women occurs during sexual intercourse, any stimulation of the mammary gland (especially during the feeding of the baby).

5. The use of protein foods.

6. Any effects on the body that cause pain.

Pathological hyperprolactinemia provoked:

1. Diseases of the hypothalamus, pituitary (considered the most common cause of this type).

2. Disturbances in the hormonal background.

3. The received trauma of a thorax.

4. Frequent curettage of the uterine cavity.

5. Polycystic ovary syndrome.

6. Problems with the liver.

7. Renal failure.

8. Lupus erythematosus.

Pharmacological occurs because of the reception:

• Antidepressants;
• Contraceptives;
• Antihypertensive drugs;
• Antipsychotics.

Symptoms

Hyperprolactinemia in men manifests itself as follows:

• Decreased potency;
• Lactorrhea (allocation of colostrum or milk from the nipple);
• Psychoemotional instability;
• Infertility;
• Osteoporosis;
• Obesity;
• Decrease in the severity of secondary sexual characteristics.

In all, hyperprolactinaemia manifests itself in different ways. Symptoms in women:

• Violation of the menstrual cycle;
• Galactorrhea;
• infertility;
• Decreased libido ;
• Discomfort during intercourse due to lack of lubrication;
• Anorgasmia;
• Acne;
• Seborrhea of the scalp;
• apoplexy;
• A woman acquires masculine features, her clitoris is hypertrophied, hair grows all over her body.

What is special about hyperprolactinaemia? Symptoms can be either single or combined with each other. The intensity of the signs is also different. For example, galactorrhea, which occurs in 80% of women with hyperprolactinaemia, manifests itself as insignificant discharge from the nipple with intensive pressure in some patients, while in others provokes a sudden abundant discharge.

Mental manifestations

The syndrome of hyperprolactinemia (another name for this condition) causes a person to have insomnia, memory problems. The work capacity is significantly reduced, although there is no apparent reason for this. Other mental manifestations are:

• A constant sense of anxiety and fear;
• Mood swings;
• irritability;
• Psychoses (sometimes such conditions are critical, requiring immediate assistance of a specialist);
• In rare cases, "heartache" (the so-called spontaneous pain in the chest without an organic base).

Children

Sometimes a child is diagnosed with hyperprolactinemia. What can it cause in the future? If we talk about the girl, then in adolescence she will have violations in puberty.

Both boys and girls face problems with the formation of bone tissue. Bones will be weak and fragile.

Examination

What kind of examination does hyperprolactinemia require? The reasons that were listed cause the need for such diagnostic methods:

• Blood test for prolactin level;
• General analysis of urine and blood;
• Scintigraphy of the skeleton;
• Ultrasound of the prostate;
• In women, ultrasound of the breast, ovaries, uterus;
• X-ray of the skull;
• CT;
• MRI.

With the analysis of blood on the level of prolactin you need to be very careful. For the accuracy of the indicators it is given on the 5th-8th day of the menstrual cycle. Not always one analysis is enough to make a diagnosis. Hyperprolactinemia in women is often functional, so it is recommended to resort to this method of examination 3 times.

Treatment

The pharmacological hyperprolactinemia does not cause particular difficulties. Treatment consists only in the cancellation of the drug (or its replacement), which caused the violation. The level of prolactin comes back to normal in a short period. If we talk about the physiological form, then it does not require any intervention.

Drug therapy

Dopaminomimetic drugs are the basis for the treatment of hyperprolactinaemia. They act on the tumor, which provoked disturbances, reducing it. Sometimes it happens that drugs help to get rid of it completely. Subsequently, the level of prolactin in the blood is normalized.

Hypothyroidism requires the use of thyroid hormones. If the patient has hormonal disorders, the doctor writes out the appropriate hormonal drugs.

Operation

Surgical intervention is indicated in such cases:

• apoplexy;
• When drug therapy does not help or the patient does not get the right drugs;
• Deterioration of the condition from the side of neuralgia.

Not always the operation gives the desired result. After it, hyperprolactinaemia returns in half the cases. Also, the patient faces complications:

• In the course of surgery, the optic nerve, the pituitary foot, or the hypothalamus are damaged;
• There may be a cerebral hemorrhage.

Radiation therapy

This method of treatment is used only in extreme cases. Radiation therapy takes a long time and requires patient patience, because the process can last a year and a half. After this method of treatment, a person can get a brain hemorrhage, radiation damage to the nerves, as well as necrosis of the brain.

Folk methods

Some doctors recommend their patients to take the recipes of traditional medicine. But this happens only after the cause of such a state is established.

Popular methods:

• Several times a day to drink tea from mint and chamomile;
• For the stability of the emotional state it is necessary to apply valerian, motherwort, hawthorn, St. John's wort (can be found in the pharmacy).

Folk methods are recommended as an addition to the main medication.

Complications

Hyperprolactinemia, the symptoms of which have not been taken into account for a long time, leads to mastopathy or a malignant neoplasm in the mammary gland. Also, a woman is threatened with uterine hypoplasia.

How does metabolism affect hyperprolactinaemia? What does this condition do with metabolism? As it turns out, an increased level of prolactin can cause:

• Atherosclerosis;
• Hypertension;
• IHD;
• Osteoporosis;
• Urolithiasis;
• Of diabetes mellitus.

Prevention

Precise instructions that would help prevent hyperprolactinemia, no. A person should avoid stressful situations, fully rest. An important role is played by a balanced diet, physical activity (sports, regular walking tours). It is necessary to abandon bad habits - alcohol and smoking. Coffee and strong tea is not recommended for use in the diagnosis of "hyperprolactinemia."

Symptoms in women, such as the allocation of milk from the nipple outside of pregnancy, irregular menstrual cycle, are not always alarming and become an excuse for consulting a doctor. But this is absolutely wrong! After all, such signs - a signal that there are violations in the body, which can not be closed. This applies to men. Therefore, you need to be more careful about your health and do not forget that any violations are justified and can cause dangerous complications.