High Prolactin Levels & Pregnancy

What Is Prolactin And Its Impact On Reproductive Functions?

The anterior pituitary gland is the gland that produces prolactin and is situated at the bottom of the brain. The most notable role of prolactin is the regulation of milk production and secretion for breastfeeding after childbirth. In addition to its role in lactation, prolactin also has various metabolic roles, regulates the female immune system, and affects all aspects of female reproduction and development.

Additionally, prolactin influences the female cycle, aids in mammary development throughout pregnancy, and stimulates other hormones involved with ovulation; thereby impacting reproduction. If a woman has elevated prolactin levels, it may hurt her ability to conceive due to a hormonal imbalance.

Causes Of High Prolactin Levels

Many factors may contribute to Hyperprolactinaemia (i.e., elevated prolactin levels). The most commonly reported contributing factors are the following:

• Benign tumours (Prolactinomas) of the pituitary gland may lead to abnormal production of excessive amounts of prolactin by direct stimulation of the pituitary glands.
• Individuals suffering from hypothyroidism tend to have a high level of prolactin in their system.
• Drugs that act on dopamine can result in an elevated level of prolactin in the body.
• Stress may also contribute to prolactin release from the pituitary glands.
• During pregnancy and lactation, prolactin levels spike significantly.

What Are The Symptoms Of High Prolactin Levels?

Hyperprolactinemia symptoms include:

• Irregular or no menstrual periods
• Lactating without being pregnant (galactorrhea)
• Headaches/vision problems (pituitary adenomas)
• Breast pain (mastalgia)
• Loss of sex drive

Effect Of High Prolactin Levels On Pregnancy

Prolactin is beneficial in facilitating successful conception. Elevated prolactin levels may inhibit significant reproductive health functions such as ovulation, decreasing fertility, and making it increasingly difficult to achieve pregnancy.

Elevated prolactin levels prepare the body for effective lactation. However, elevated levels of prolactin also negatively impact hormonal balance, which may result in losing pregnancies (miscarriages) or make it much more difficult to carry a pregnancy to full term.

How To Diagnose High Prolactin Levels?

Blood tests can confirm or rule out many of the conditions when there is suspicion of hyperprolactinaemia. Increased prolactin levels in the blood will lead to further diagnostic tests to identify any underlying causes of hyperprolactinaemia, such as pituitary tumours or prolactinomas. In cases where there is suspicion of either of those conditions, imaging (e.g., MRI and CT scans) will also be performed to evaluate for structural changes in the pituitary gland.

The images produced by imaging modalities (MRI and/or CT) provide a means of establishing either the presence or absence of an enlarged pituitary gland. Images of the pituitary gland help the clinician determine which treatment is necessary.

Treatment Of High Prolactin Levels

Currently, the most common means to control elevated levels of prolactin is the use of dopamine agonists. By stimulating dopamine receptors, these drugs decrease prolactin secretion and thus lower prolactin levels.

In cases where a pituitary tumour has been identified as the cause of an elevated prolactin level, surgical excision of the tumour might be necessary. Additionally, radiation therapy has been employed in situations where previous treatment options have failed.

Tips To Optimise Prolactin Levels To Improve Fertility

To help control prolactin levels, one can improve their sleep habits, manage stress levels, and maintain a healthy body weight. In addition, the correct hormonal balance will not occur unless the body has the right micronutrients provided by a balanced diet. The diet should include lean meats, essential fatty acids, healthy fats, and vitamins.

An active lifestyle combined with a diet that consists of healthy fat sources (meats), sufficient vitamins, and adequate essential fatty acid intake will promote hormonal balance and proper reproductive function.

Risks Of Untreated High Prolactin Levels

If high prolactin levels are left untreated, they will most likely prevent the ability to have children in the long run and could cause irreversible damage to the reproductive system, which would create additional difficulties for conception in the future.

Untreated elevated prolactin levels over a period of time have been associated with other health issues such as osteoporosis (a decrease in bone density) and vision problems caused by pituitary tumours.

When To Consult A Doctor?

If you've noticed that you've been missing periods, get in touch with your physician. These could be signs of excessively high levels of prolactin, and diagnosing this sooner means that you will have greater success with the treatment and potential pregnancy. If possible, consult with your physician before this occurs, because preventing complications is always better than waiting until they occur. Early medical attention may yield improved fertility outcomes.

Conclusion

Having excessive amounts of prolactin in your body can hurt your chances of becoming pregnant. By going to the doctor, receiving an accurate diagnosis, and treatment, one can manage high levels of prolactin to increase their chances of getting pregnant. If at any time you experience signs or symptoms of infertility, seek out medical attention as quickly as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some ways that women can reduce their prolactin levels?

There are many different ways, such as lifestyle changes, medicinal treatments, behavioural modification, identifying the root cause of hyperprolactinemia, and finding an appropriate healthcare provider.

What is the most important function of prolactin?

Prolactin has many functions but the most important one is: the stimulation of lactation (making milk). This function supports women who are breastfeeding.

What are the common symptoms of high prolactin levels?

The most common symptoms of elevated prolactin levels in women are irregular periods, infertility, and milk production without being pregnant.

Do high prolactin levels lead to miscarriages?

High prolactin levels do not cause miscarriages, but they primarily affect conception. The overall risk of pregnancy loss is usually low once prolactin levels are controlled.

What are the effects of high prolactin levels?

Increased prolactin levels may cause irregular periods, infertility, and inappropriate lactation.