Prolactin is the hormone that is responsible for promoting milk production in the mammary glands. Although it is common in pregnant women, you should know that men also have this hormone. In small amounts, male prolactin helps them increase their fertility, although if the presence of this hormone is high it can be a bigger problem. Do you want to know more about the function of prolactin? Next, in a HOWTO we explain symptoms and treatment for high prolactin in men, a problem that can cause infertility, sexual loss of appetite and even the alteration of the normal growth of male breasts.
What is prolactin
Prolactin is the hormone responsible for promoting the production of milk in the breasts, which makes breastfeeding possible. Although its activation occurs, basically, in pregnant women, it is also present in non-pregnant women, where prolactin acts as a modulator of the menstrual cycle. In men, this hormone moves through the bloodstream in small amounts and promotes male fertility.
High prolactin in men and women
Prolactin is produced in the pituitary gland, an endocrine gland, and is then transferred via the bloodstream to the organs where it must act, whether they are breasts, ovaries or testicles. Although its presence is normal and common, it really poses a problem in men if the amount of prolactin is high. In this case, clinically, we speak of hyperprolactinemia, that is, elevated levels of prolactin are observed in the blood. If we differentiate the levels by sex, we would say that the prolactin level is high in women if it exceeds 25 ng / ml and in men it is high. 8 ng / ml.
Causes of high prolactin in men
The increase in prolactin levels can be due to different normal causes (especially in women) such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, excessive stimulation of the mammary glands … But, as we have pointed out, also can occur in men in the following cases:
- In stress boxes.
- After doing intense physical exercise.
- Due to the consumption of medications such as antidepressants.
- For overweight.
- Due to vitamin B6 deficiency.
- Due to the presence of prolactinomas, that is, tumors that generate prolactin uncontrollably.
- Due to liver failure.
- For endocrine diseases.
High prolactin in men: symptoms
Although a specific diagnosis is required and it is not very common for prolactin to be at high levels in men, these alterations can appear and cause specific signs in the patient. In the case of men, symptoms are usually:
- Sexual loss of appetite
- Sexual impotence or inability to maintain an erection.
- Infertility, since high prolactin directly and negatively affects sperm production.
- Weight gain.
- Appearance of acne.
- Gynecomastia, that is, abnormal growth of one or both breasts.
- Galactorrhea, that is, milk secretion.
If one of your symptoms is gynecomastia, you may be interested in this article on How to reduce men’s breasts.
High prolactonin in men: diagnosis and treatment
As we have seen, the symptoms of hyperprolactinemia in men are varied, but before carrying out a specific treatment, it is important to establish a specific diagnosis and discover the cause that has caused the high level of prolactin in the male circulatory system. For this, they will be carried out comprehensive medical analysis that determine prolactin levels in the blood.
Depending of the diagnosis, the treatments will be different:
- Tumor: If the cause is a pituitary tumor, a surgical intervention will be required, as well as radiotherapy if the tumor is larger than 10 mm.
- Hypothyroidism: both hypothyroidism and other endocrine alterations will require a treatment consisting of the administration of hormones, in this case of the thyroid.
- Idiopathic: If it is a disorder for no apparent reason, the doctor may prescribe drugs to the patient that prevent the formation of prolactin. The most common are cabergoline, bromocriptine, and lisuride.
In case of doubts, always consult your doctor. He will be in charge of carrying out the specific diagnosis and establishing the most appropriate guidelines to reduce prolactin levels in the blood.
Now that you know the symptoms and treatment for high prolactin in men, you may be interested in this other article on How to normalize prolactin levels.
This article is merely informative, at oneHOWTO we do not have the power to prescribe any medical treatment or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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