The dangers of hyperprolactinemia

High prolactin is an endocrine disorder caused by multiple factors, which is more common in women and relatively rare in men. Continuous increase in serum prolactin (PRL) can lead to dysfunction of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, thus causing various hazards, such as irregular menstruation and infertility. What are the hazards of high prolactin?

1. Low estrogen status

Various degrees of menstrual irregularities occur, such as infrequent menstruation and long-term amenorrhea; there is obvious vaginal atrophy and dryness, which can cause difficulty in sexual intercourse; menopausal symptoms may appear, such as hot flashes and palpitations.

2. Infertility

Those with slightly elevated prolactin levels can still ovulate, but their basal body temperature shows that the follicular phase is prolonged, the luteal phase is shortened, and the progesterone level is low, leading to luteal insufficiency, difficulty in getting pregnant, and even if fertilized, it is difficult to implant, and preclinical abortion often occurs. Those with significantly elevated prolactin levels will have their ovulation affected, resulting in anovulatory infertility.

3. Tumor compression symptoms

The patient will feel headache and head swelling; because the tumor compresses the optic chiasm nerve, symptoms of visual field loss may occur.

4. Hyperandrogenism

High prolactin secretion is often accompanied by high androgen levels. Such patients may experience symptoms such as moderate obesity, seborrheic dermatitis, acne, hirsutism, and acromegaly.

There are many dangers of hyperprolactinemia. This disease is very harmful to the human body, mainly affecting the endocrine system. Therefore, for female friends, active treatment is very important. I hope that women with hyperprolactinemia must actively seek treatment to avoid the deterioration of the disease and cause adverse effects.