What are the common dangers of hyperprolactinemia?

Prolactin is a polypeptide hormone secreted by specialized cells concentrated on both sides of the back of the pituitary gland. It originates from the same cells as growth hormone. The secretion of prolactin is pulsed and varies greatly throughout the day. The pulse amplitude of prolactin secretion increases rapidly within 1 hour of sleep, and then the secretion level remains at a high level during sleep, and begins to decline after waking up. The serum prolactin secretion concentration at 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning is twice that of noon. So, what are the common hazards of high prolactin?

Increased prolactin is the "culprit" of infertility. Increased prolactin is medically known as hyperprolactinemia, which is a hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis dysfunction disease. Its main symptoms are a significant decrease in menstrual volume, infrequent menstruation or even amenorrhea, infertility, galactorrhea, menopausal symptoms, etc. This disease accounts for about 20% of infertility caused by endocrine factors. It can be seen that the harm of high prolactin is very serious. Although the disease has these simple symptoms, the cause is quite complicated.

The above introduces the dangers of high prolactin. Next, we will learn that the secretion of prolactin is affected by many factors. In addition, drugs such as progesterone, dexamethasone, adrenal cortisol, intense physical activity, trauma and other acute stress situations can cause increased secretion of prolactin.

Some drugs can also cause an increase in prolactin. Taking drugs such as reserpine, chlorpromazine, and morphine for a long period of time can inhibit the release of prolactin inhibitory factors by changing the production, absorption, and metabolism of dopamine, resulting in excessive prolactin secretion and amenorrhea and galactorrhea. Oral contraceptives can cause an increase in prolactin secreted by the pituitary gland and a decrease in gonadotropin, leading to amenorrhea and galactorrhea. This is why some people who take oral contraceptives cannot get pregnant immediately.

Some other reasons can also lead to increased prolactin, such as primary hypothyroidism, idiopathic amenorrhea, galactorrhea syndrome, primary hyperthyroidism, renal insufficiency, bronchial cancer and other diseases.