3 symptoms of increased prolactin in men - how to lower the hormone level to normal

Prolactin (mammotropin) is a peptide hormone produced by cells of the anterior pituitary gland. Its synthesis occurs in both female and male bodies. Normally, the level of prolactin in representatives of the stronger sex ranges from 53 to 360 mU/l.

Mammotropin is produced in the anterior pituitary gland

In the male body, mammotropin performs the following functions:

lowers testosterone levels;
has a mild analgesic effect;
participates in the formation of immunity;
reduces libido.

Norm of prolactin and reasons for changes in its content↑

In a healthy man, the level of luteotropic hormone in the blood is from 2.5 to 16 ng/ml. At the same time, as for other hormonal compounds, in the case of prolactin there is a relationship between the content of the hormone and the time of day. Its maximum concentration in the blood is observed in the early morning; throughout the day, the level of the hormone gradually decreases to a minimum, which occurs in the evening. At night, a large amount of this compound is released into the blood, and at sunrise its content again reaches its maximum.

Under the influence of various factors, the level of prolactin can change noticeably, usually towards an increase in the content of the hormone.

High prolactin in men, or hyperprolactinemia, may be due to temporary factors that generally do not affect overall hormonal levels. Such changes quickly disappear after the cause that caused them is eliminated. In such cases, an increase in the level of luteotropic hormone is of a physiological nature and is usually associated with the following factors:

Excessive physical activity.
Nervous tension and stress.
Sexual contacts.
Consuming large amounts of protein-rich foods, fatty foods, and sweets.
Taking certain medications.
Alcohol abuse.
Constantly smoking a large number of cigarettes, especially for heavy smokers.

When prolactin is elevated in men for a long time, they speak of the pathological nature of this condition. The factors causing it include:

Malignant and benign neoplasms of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.
Endocrine disorders, which include adrenal dysfunction, hypothyroidism and other diseases.
Liver failure and other liver diseases.
Kidney failure and other renal dysfunction.
Disorders caused by exposure to radioactive radiation.
Chronic form of inflammation of the prostate.
Autoimmune diseases.
Compression of the pituitary gland.
Disorders of the structure and functions of the chest organs due to injuries, burns, and surgical interventions.
Shingles.
Pathological processes that contribute to disruption of the normal functioning of the hypothalamus - infectious processes, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, neurosyphilis, trauma.
Vitamin B6 deficiency.

The doctor suspects an increased level of prolactin when the patient complains of sudden manifestations of erectile dysfunction, or the inability to conceive a child for a long time. Hyperprolactinemia is also indicated by excess weight, depression, increased fatigue, weakness, and insomnia.

Useful video

Watch the video on how to take prolactin correctly:

Symptoms of hyperprolactinemia↑

With elevated levels of luteinotropic hormone, a man may experience:

Weakening of sexual desire.
Erectile disfunction.
Increase in the size of the mammary glands.
Constant headaches.
Unreasonable weight gain.
Skin rashes.
Depression.
Increased fatigue and weakness.
Sleep disorders.

What does prolactin affect in men?

If everything is clear with the biological role of the lactation hormone for women, then why prolactin is needed in the male body was determined not so long ago. Receptor proteins to which the hormone binds are found in the mammary glands and testicles, and the central nervous system. They are present in muscles, including the heart, and are also located in the pancreas, thymus and adrenal glands, lungs, kidneys and skin, and liver.

The purpose of many of them is still a mystery.

The studied properties of prolactin include:

inhibition of the release of hormones by the pituitary gland that affect sexual function (gonadotropic) - follitropin and lutropin;
decreased production of testosterone by the testicles;
inhibition of sperm production;
participation in sexual arousal, orgasm and relaxation after it, by interfering with the effects of dopamine, reduces the level of sexual desire;
analgesic effect, when it is released, the threshold for pain impulses increases (this is one of the mechanisms of action of opium and similar drugs);
strengthening of immune reactions during inflammation, infections;
the formation of myelin - a protein that forms the sheath of the nerve fiber; if it is deficient, the conduction of impulses in the nervous system is disrupted;
vascular growth, stimulation of the proliferation of the inner membrane.

We recommend reading the article about pituitary microadenoma in men. From it you will learn about the causes of pituitary microadenoma in men, the types and symptoms of neoplasms, as well as methods for diagnosing and treating microadenoma in men.

And here is more information about pituitary prolactinoma.

Reduced prolactin content↑

In rare cases, men are diagnosed with pathologically low levels of prolactin. The main cause of this condition is pituitary failure, when the cells of this gland are not able to fully perform their functions. Such disorders are usually caused by the development of tumors of various etiologies, a course of radiation therapy, taking anticonvulsants and painkillers, antidepressants, antipsychotics, medications containing morphine and other medications.

According to practitioners, men with low levels of prolactin have a sharply depressed psycho-emotional state and decreased sexual abilities.

Prevention

To minimize the risk of high levels of prolactin in the blood, you should be careful when taking any medications. Addictions such as smoking or drinking alcohol negatively affect the health of any person, so giving them up only contributes to recovery.

Surely, it is possible to determine the cause and correctly eliminate it only through a comprehensive diagnosis. Self-medication is contraindicated. Your doctor will explain to you in detail why prolactin increases in your particular case, after the results of the tests taken are known.

How to determine the level of luteotropic hormone?↑

Prolactin levels are determined using a blood test for hormone levels. To get the most accurate results, a man must adhere to the following rules for preparing for the analysis:

At least one day before the test, refrain from sexual contact.
The day before the test, do not visit the sauna or bathhouse, limit physical activity, and do not drink alcohol.
Donate blood no earlier than three hours after waking up.
Do not smoke for an hour before blood collection.
Before taking the test, remain calm for at least thirty minutes.

An integrated approach to treatment

To restore sexual function, you should take medications that contain testosterone. Vitamin D and calcium will help strengthen your bone structure. It will be helpful to undergo psychotherapy to cope with depressive disorder. Diet and well-distributed physical activity will help you regulate your body weight and bring yourself back to normal.

You can prepare specialized herbal infusions that are characterized by a calming effect on the body. The following can be taken as a basis: hops, elderberry, lemon balm, St. John's wort. You need to take this tincture several hours before bedtime. It is advisable to buy the presented raw materials at the pharmacy, since the dosage is already determined there.

Herbal medicine is a set of measures that can be considered as an addition to the main course of treatment. It is important for men who suffer from the described illness to reconsider their lifestyle. Introduce more movement, healthy food, get rid of bad habits and then you will be able to restore normal functioning of the body.

Ways to correct the violation↑

To decide how to lower prolactin in men, the doctor must accurately determine the causes of hormonal imbalance. In most cases, it is possible to limit yourself to drug treatment. For this purpose, drugs such as Apomorphine, Bromocriptine, Cabergoline, Quinagolide are used. The use of the drug Parlodel, which blocks dopamine receptors, thereby preventing the production of prolactin, has proven itself to be effective.

It must be borne in mind that this remedy should not be used by men suffering from hypertension, heart disorders, or mental disorders. In recent years, the popularity of Norprolac has been increasing, which is highly effective and has fewer contraindications and side effects. Testosterone-based drugs are also used.

When an increase in prolactin levels is caused by a tumor process, surgical treatment is indicated to eliminate the tumor. The prognosis for this therapy is based on an assessment of the size of the tumor. In the case of a small tumor, normalization of hormonal levels after surgery occurs in approximately 90% of patients, whereas after removal of a large tumor, a decrease in prolactin levels to a normal level is observed much less frequently.

Men diagnosed with hyperprolactinemia need to be in the open sun as little as possible, since ultraviolet rays activate the activity of the pituitary gland. If the prolactin level is low, this also requires treatment, since it has been proven that low levels of this hormone accelerate the aging process of the body and significantly increase cravings for alcohol.

Knowing what prolactin is in men, you will be able to suspect a change in the level of the hormone based on your condition, and you will take into account everything you need to tell the doctor to quickly make an accurate diagnosis and choose the right treatment regimen.