Center for Reproductive and Fetal Medicine

THE ROLE OF PROLACTIN IN INFERTILITY

THE ROLE OF PROLACTIN IN INFERTILITY

Prolactin is a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland and plays a key role in milk production during pregnancy and lactation. However, elevated prolactin levels in men and non-pregnant women can lead to fertility problems. Hyperprolactinemia, or excessive prolactin production, is a common cause of infertility.

How Does Prolactin Affect Fertility?

Prolactin can affect fertility in several ways:

– In women: Elevated prolactin can disrupt the menstrual cycle and reduce ovulation. These disturbances can prevent conception or lead to miscarriages.

– In men: Hyperprolactinemia can cause decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and decreased sperm production, thus affecting fertility.

Causes of Hyperprolactinemia

There are several factors that can increase prolactin levels:

  1. Pituitary tumors (prolactinoma): These tumors can cause excessive production of prolactin.
  2. Certain medications: Antidepressants, high blood pressure medications, and some antipsychotic medications may increase prolactin levels.
  3. Hypothyroidism: Reduced thyroid function can affect prolactin production.
  4. Stress: Chronic stress can increase prolactin levels, causing fertility problems.

 

Symptoms of High Prolactin

– Irregular or absent menstrual cycle in women.

– Galactorrhea (milk production outside of pregnancy).

– Reduced sexual desire and erectile dysfunction in men.

– Difficulty conceiving and infertility in both sexes.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Hyperprolactinemia is diagnosed with a blood test to measure prolactin levels. If hyperprolactinemia is detected, the doctor may recommend additional tests, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to check the pituitary gland.

Treatment depends on the cause:

– Medication: Medications such as dopamine agonists can reduce prolactin levels and restore fertility.

– Surgery: In cases of pituitary tumors, surgical removal may be necessary.

In conclusion

Hyperprolactinemia is a common cause of infertility, but with proper diagnosis and treatment, prolactin levels can return to normal and fertility can be restored.

Schedule an appointment at our office so we can evaluate your prolactin levels and recommend the appropriate treatment to improve your fertility.

Center for Reproductive and Fetal Medicine

Effective doctor-patient communication is vital to providing high-quality health care. Any communication regarding your medical profile (getting results, instructions, answering questions, concerns) will be done directly with the doctor. This means no midwife or secretary will interrupt your conversations. Instead, if you call with any concerns, they will be there right away to address your needs. Contact us by calling 694 649 8771 or by completing the relevant Contact Form.

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

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FREQUENT QUESTIONS

The association of IVF drugs with cancer risk is a major concern for women enrolled in these programs. But the plethora of bibliographic reports collected from credible scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

Of course not. In about a third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in a third of cases, it is due to the man (male factor). The remaining one-third is due to both (both men and women) or even to unknown factors.

The quantity and quality of a man's sperm can be affected by his health and lifestyle. Some factors that can reduce the quantity and / or quality of sperm are:

  • the alcohol
  • drugs
  • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead
  • smoking
  • health problems
  • medicines
  • radiotherapy and chemotherapy
  • the age

Success rates vary at each IVF Center. Very important factors are also the age of the woman, the levels of her hormones and of course the sperm of the husband. Rates generally range from 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years old.

Infertility is defined as the failure to conceive after one year (or 6 months, if it is a woman over 35) with normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year passes without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their doctor to determine the cause of the pregnancy and then treat it. We must all, however, be aware and not forget that the age factor is the most critical for female fertility and that the individualized approach of each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

The number of treatment cycles a woman can undergo is not specified. It is certain that in our country there are high level obstetricians-gynecologists and organized infertility treatment centers, which offer impeccable medical services at this level. If there are correct indications (eg ovaries that respond to stimulation therapy, good quality endometrium, etc.) the success rate -especially with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological drugs, which show increased bioactivity compared to conventional drugs from urine- totals approximately 65%-70% after 4 cycles of treatment.

At the Center for Reproductive Medicine of Dr. Traianos we offer egg / sperm cryopreservation services for those who have a personal or medical reason and need this service. We use the most modern vitrification technique in the freezing of sperm and eggs.

The collection of eggs takes 10-15 minutes, it is not painful, it is done under intoxication and after the end of the process you return to your activities.

In general, experts agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child can be considered evidence that there is no infertility problem in the first place. It is like a small test that has been done and proves that they "succeeded" at least once. On the other hand, we need to know that in the meantime things may have changed and a problem may have arisen (eg the man may have had some inflammation that affects the quality of his sperm or has mediated something that affects female fertility: an inflammation, a gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple can not achieve a pregnancy, then he should with the help of his doctor investigate if there has been a problem that causes infertility.