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When your menstrual cycle has gone irregular, or even stopped, or you are experiencing trouble conceiving, then excess prolactin might be to blame. Let's understand this better.
What is Prolactin?
Prolactin is a hormone formed in a tiny gland located in your brain called the pituitary gland. Its primary role is to assist your body in lactating or producing breast milk once you deliver a baby. Nevertheless, your body still produces small quantities of prolactin even when you are not pregnant.In non-breastfeeding women, prolactin is typically low. However, they can also impact other reproductive hormones when they are elevated, causing missed periods, lack of ovulation, or even infertility.
How Does High Prolactin Affect Ovulation?
To understand how prolactin can influence ovulation, it is useful to be familiar with how your body gears up to ovulate each month. In a regular menstrual period, your brain secretes some of the body's hormones, such as FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) and LH (Luteinising Hormone). These hormones assist your ovaries in releasing an egg- this phenomenon is termed as ovulation.But when prolactin levels are too high, they suppress the release of FSH and LH. As a result, your body fails to ovulate. Without ovulation, you cannot get pregnant, and your periods may become irregular or stop altogether.
In simple words, high prolactin interferes with the natural process of your menstrual cycle and fertility.
How Does High Prolactin Affect Your Periods?
When ovulation doesn't happen regularly due to high prolactin, your periods may:- Become irregular (sometimes early, sometimes late).
- Become very light or very heavy.
- Stop completely (a condition called amenorrhea).
What Causes High Prolactin Levels?
There are several reasons why your prolactin levels may go up. Some of the most common ones include:- Pituitary tumours (especially a non-cancerous tumour called prolactinoma)
- Certain medications (used for mental health, blood pressure, or nausea)
- Stress (both emotional and physical)
- Low thyroid function (called hypothyroidism)
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in some cases
- Breast stimulation or injury to the chest wall
Symptoms You May Notice
If your prolactin levels are high, you might experience:- Irregular or absent periods
- Milky discharge from the breasts (even if you're not pregnant or nursing)
- Painful or swollen breasts
- Mood swings
- Headaches or vision problems (if caused by a large pituitary tumour)
- Infertility or difficulty in getting pregnant
- Low sex drive
How is High Prolactin Diagnosed?
If your periods are irregular or you're facing fertility issues, your doctor may ask for a blood test to check your prolactin level. Ideally, this test is done early in the morning, as prolactin levels can naturally rise during sleep or after meals.If the level is found to be high, your doctor may also suggest:
- Thyroid tests (to rule out hypothyroidism).
- MRI scan of your brain (to check for pituitary tumours).
How Can You Treat High Prolactin Levels?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the high prolactin levels. Common options include:- Medication: The most common treatment is medication like cabergoline or bromocriptine. These drugs reduce prolactin levels and often help restore normal periods and ovulation.
- Thyroid treatment: If an underactive thyroid is the cause, treating it with thyroid hormone replacement therapy can help bring prolactin levels back to normal.
- Stopping certain medicines: If your prolactin rise is due to a medication you're taking, your doctor may suggest changing or stopping it.
- Surgery or radiation: Rarely, if a tumour is very large or unresponsive to medicine, surgery or radiation therapy may be needed. But this is not common.
What You Can Do
While you can't always prevent high prolactin, you can stay aware of your body and act early. Here's what you can do:- Track your menstrual cycle regularly.
- Don't ignore missed periods.
- Get a hormone check-up if you're trying to conceive without success.
- Discuss any unusual symptoms (like breast discharge) with your doctor.
FAQs on Irregular Periods and No Ovulation? One Unexpected Hormone Could Be the Reason
- Can I still get pregnant if I have high prolactin levels?
It's difficult, but not impossible. High prolactin can stop ovulation, making pregnancy harder. However, with proper treatment, prolactin levels can be lowered, and your fertility can be restored. - How long does it take for periods to return to normal after treating high prolactin?
Most women see improvement within 2 to 3 months of starting treatment. However, it can vary depending on the cause and your overall health. - Is high prolactin dangerous if left untreated?
Yes, untreated high prolactin can lead to long-term fertility issues, bone weakening due to low estrogen, and in rare cases, pressure symptoms if a tumour is present. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important.
