ADEMEYI MAXWELL
HORMONES ARE chemical messengers that are produced in one organ and moves through the blood and body fluids to organs and tissues where they are needed to modify and control body functions. Reproductive hormones are one of the factors that contribute to fertility and conception.
Prolactin is one of several hormones that is produced by the pituitary gland. Prolactin has many different roles throughout the body. Perhaps the most important role of prolactin is to stimulate milk production in women after the delivery of a baby. Prolactin levels increase during pregnancy, causing the mammary glands in a woman’s breast to enlarge in preparation for breastfeeding. Prolactin also helps with the release of milk when the baby is feeding.
During the first several months that a woman is breastfeeding, the high prolactin levels also serve to inhibit ovulation. This is the reason why women who are breastfeeding do not get their periods and therefore do not often become pregnant. As time goes on, however, the prolactin levels do not stay as high with breastfeeding and the woman may start to ovulate.
A condition of too much prolactin in the blood of women who are not pregnant and in men is known as hyperprolactinemia. Hyperprolactinemia may also lead to galactorrhea, a condition which causes the breasts to produce milk outside pregnancy.
Prolactin is one of the hormones that control fertility and it is produced by the anterior pituitary gland in the brain. In men, prolactin plays a role in testosterone secretion and in production of sperm cells. In women, prolactin helps to stimulate milk production after the delivery of a baby.
Causes
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Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Usually, a high level of prolactin in the body is considered normal during and after pregnancy, most especially while breastfeeding.
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Prolactinoma: It is a noncancerous tumour of the pituitary gland that causes the gland to produce excess prolactin, thus leading to over-secretion in the blood. This further causes a reduction in the levels of estrogen hormone in the body and it affects ovulation in women. In men, it alters testosterone and compromises sperm production.
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Hypothyroidism and stress: Cortisol and adrenaline are stress hormones. These hormones coupled with excess consumption of carbohydrates cause an imbalance in blood sugar levels. People are at an increased risk of frequent hypoglycemic episodes with an underactive thyroid. In order to activate the thyroid gland, the brain then increases the release of the thyroid-stimulating hormone. Over-secretion of the TSH leads to high prolactin levels.
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Metabolic or hormonal conditions: Another factor that may affect the excess production of prolactin includes damage to other parts of the body. In particular, damage to or illnesses of the kidneys, thyroid and liver can cause hyperprolactinemia. Hyperprolactinemia has also been connected with polycystic ovary syndrome and amenorrhea.
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Medication: Drugs such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, antihypertensive and antinausea
