As a rule, tests for the level of hormones in the blood in women are taken on certain days of the menstrual cycle. Most often, studies are prescribed to determine the level of prolactin, LH and FSH with hormonal imbalances and the inability to conceive independently

Prolactin is one of the main indicators, the level of which in the blood allows you to determine the general state of the female hormonal status. Its main function is to ensure the normal development of the mammary glands. The lactation process will also depend on the content of prolactin in the blood.

In what cases is an analysis for prolactin prescribed?

It is recommended to take a blood test for the level of prolactin in cases when:

• it is not possible to establish the cause of infertility;
• there are malfunctions of the menstrual cycle;
• with mastopathy, there are complaints of frequent headaches and blurred vision;
• despite the absence of pregnancy, colostrum (galactorrhea) begins to excrete from the mammary glands in women;
• there is a sharp weight gain.

A low level of prolactin in the blood, as a rule, does not pose a direct threat to health. The concentration of the hormone may decrease while taking various drugs, with prolonged pregnancy and in the case of X-ray therapy. If tests for the level of other pituitary hormones do not show abnormalities, a low prolactin level does not require any additional treatment.

An increase in prolactin in the blood can directly affect fertility. Its increased content leads to a malfunction of the menstrual cycle. After childbirth, when a woman is breastfeeding her baby, this hormone protects her from the onset of the next pregnancy. If the level of the hormone rises in a non-lactating woman, it significantly reduces the production of progesterone and estrogen in the body, which reduces the likelihood of conception.

Also, increased prolactin in the blood often indicates the presence of benign tumors of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus. Upon receipt of test results indicating an increased rate of this hormone, an additional study is prescribed in the form of CT or MRI.

What day of the menstrual cycle do you need to be tested?

Despite the fact that the amount of prolactin in the blood of women can vary depending on the menstrual cycle, the limits of the permissible hormone are the same for any menstrual phase. It is for this reason that it does not fundamentally matter on what day the woman will be tested. If the goal is to check the amount of prolactin after the end of breastfeeding, then it should be taken no earlier than 7 days after the last lactation.

What factors affect the level of prolactin in the blood

In order to obtain correct research results, before donating blood, it is necessary to study the factors that may affect the concentration of prolactin. The amount of this hormone can increase significantly under the influence of strong emotional experiences and stress. Increased physical activity can also provoke an increase in the level of prolactin in the blood. The same result can be obtained by taking thermal procedures the day before the test or prolonged massage of the cervical region (in this place are the nodes of the nervous system, the stimulation of which can provoke an increased production of prolactin by the pituitary gland).

How to get tested correctly

In order for the obtained research data to be correct, certain preparation is required to pass the analysis:

• Before donating blood, be sure to inform your doctor about any medications you are taking. The level of this hormone can increase in cases where a woman drinks contraceptives, antihistamines, antidepressants.
• The day before donating blood, it is necessary to exclude sexual intercourse, and also to avoid a state of sexual arousal.
• Before taking the test, you should not take a hot bath and visit the steam room.
• It is necessary to reduce physical activity as much as possible, abandon training and, if possible, limit weight lifting, avoid prolonged climbing stairs;
• You need to try to maintain emotional stability, not to be stressed.

How to behave on the day of blood sampling

This test must be taken in the morning on an empty stomach. Food intake is stopped 8 hours before blood donation for research. It is also forbidden to smoke one hour before the analysis. Before taking blood directly, a woman is recommended to sit quietly in the reception laboratory for about 15-20 minutes so that she can rest and come to a state of complete rest.

Other tests to determine hormonal status in women

Along with prolactin, the hormones that are produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and tend to affect the functioning of the gonads and the state of the reproductive system include folicostimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Conducting a study on their concentration in a woman's blood can help in diagnosing problems of her hormonal background.

The first indicator, follicle-stimulating hormone, which is known by the acronym FSH, promotes the growth of the egg in the follicle. He surrenders in the case when it is necessary to monitor the effectiveness of hormone therapy. Also FSH is prescribed to take when the following problems are observed:

• infertility and lack of ovulation;
• polycystic ovary;
• violation of the menstrual cycle;
• very scanty periods;
• uterine bleeding;
• endometriosis.

Preparation for a study at the FSH level

In order to pass this analysis correctly and, accordingly, to obtain correct data, a woman is recommended certain preparation. In the days preceding the taking of the analysis, it is advisable to give up physical activity and it is necessary to avoid stressful situations. Smoking, fasting and circumstances such as:

• X-ray passing;
• contact with lead;
• kidney disease;
• surgical intervention.

If at least one of these facts took place a few days before the analysis, you need to warn your doctor about this.

Blood sampling to determine the level of FSH is done 4-7 days after the start of the menstrual cycle. It is on these days of the first phase of the cycle that the maximum activity of the hormone is observed. When the results show low levels of the hormone, it could indicate hypothalamus and pituitary gland hypofunction. In cases where the indicator exceeds the norm, there are grounds to assume:

• wasting of the ovaries;
• polycystic;
• the presence of endometrioid cysts;
• pituitary tumor.

To determine the causes of infertility, it is very important to trace the ratio of the amount of FSH to the level of luteinizing hormone, which is designated as LH.

Why take an LH test

This hormone is also produced by the pituitary gland and is responsible for the production of progesterone in the female body. Its concentration in the blood depends on the phase of the ovulation cycle. An LH test is prescribed when a woman has problems such as:

• increased hair growth;
• underdevelopment of the genitals;
• lack of ovulation;
• infertility;
• polycystic ovary disease.

When the LH result is below normal, there is often a parallel increase in the amount of prolactin in the blood. This condition is called hyperprolactinemia. An elevated LH, as in the case of an elevated FSH level, may indicate the presence of a pituitary tumor, polycystic ovary disease, or serious kidney disease.

What day do you need to get tested

The LH level in the blood is correctly determined 4-7 days after the onset of menstruation. If a woman's menstruation days come irregularly, then blood sampling can be done daily, for 10 days. To reliably determine the LH indicator, the analysis is taken from 8 to 18 days before the expected onset of menstruation.

Prolactin is one of the most important hormones in the body. What is its main function? When is it worth taking an analysis for prolactin, and what is the danger of an increased content of the hormone in the blood? Remember.

What is a prolactin test

A blood test for prolactin allows you to determine its content in the body. This hormone is produced in the pituitary gland and more often than not, an increased level of prolactin indicates that we have some kind of disease. But there are other cases that you need to know about, so as not to mislead yourself and the doctor. Allocate physiological and pathological increases in prolactin.

For reasons physiological increases in prolactin levels include:

• excessive stress, prolonged and intense;
• (also immediately before passing the analysis for prolactin);
• an abundance of proteins in the diet;
• non-compliance with the norms during the analysis (in this case, it is surrendered again);
• breast-feeding;
• pregnancy;
• taking medications (some medications can increase prolactin).

Reasons pathological there is a lot of increase in prolactin, the most common is:

• Prolactinoma. It is a benign tumor that produces prolactin. The absence of menstruation, infertility, the release of milk from the mammary glands in the absence of pregnancy are attributed to the symptoms of the disease.

When passing an analysis for prolactin, please note that the norms in each laboratory are individual: they depend on the methodological features of determining the level of this hormone in the blood and must be indicated in the results of the analysis.

How and when is it better to get tested for prolactin

How to donate blood for prolactin? An important question, since this analysis is very difficult. It should be taken in the morning and on an empty stomach. Previously, a day before delivery, exclude sex life, the use of alcoholic beverages, smoking, do not play sports and other physical activity, and do not take a hot bath and do not go to the sauna.

The analysis for prolactin must be done in the first 3-5 days from the beginning of menstruation or in 23-26 days with a 29-day menstrual cycle. This is important information answering the question - what you need to know about how to donate prolactin correctly.

You will be interested in consultations on the following topics:

And another recommendation about prolactin - when is the best time to take. Good mood and loose clothing are welcome. These are the features before taking the analysis, which, by the way, is best done three hours after you woke up.

You need to take a prolactin test in the morning on an empty stomach after at least half an hour of complete physical and emotional rest. The hormone levels naturally increase in the afternoon and during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.

The analysis for prolactin is done according to certain indications:

• infertility of unknown origin (conception does not occur for more than 1 year);
• in case of suspicion of the presence of a tumor disease;
• cyclical pain in the mammary gland;
• the release of milk from the mammary glands outside the feeding period;
• osteoporosis;
• lack of ovulation.

Prolactin and progesterone

Prolactin and progesterone are similar. Progesterone affects important processes in the female body: pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. Under the influence of progesterone, mammary glands are formed and breast milk is produced. If there is a hormonal imbalance in the female body, in which the level of prolactin increases, and progesterone decreases, ovulation may not occur. This is the main cause of infertility.

Prolactin and the menstrual cycle

Prolactin and menses can coexist at the end of the lactation period. The fact is that while feeding the baby, the nipple is stimulated, which can activate the production of prolactin. Regular latching on to the breast is believed to suppress ovulation. But some girls, even with this regime, may have their periods, which is not a pathology.

Expert opinion

Olga Panfilova, Ph.D., obstetrician-gynecologist, doctor of the Women's Health Center of the European Medical Center (GEMC):
To diagnose diseases associated with a change in the level of prolactin, it is necessary to contact a gynecologist-endocrinologist, or an endocrinologist. Only a doctor, after analyzing the patient's history, can determine whether physiological processes (stress, etc.) are the cause of the violation of the prolactin content in the blood, or whether they are based on a more serious pathology that requires additional examinations (for example, an MRI of the brain) and specific treatment. Regarding the use of folk remedies to correct the level of prolactin - the use of even such seemingly harmless remedies as herbal preparations, etc. should be discussed with the attending physician.

Prolactin and hair loss

But prolactin has nothing to do with hair loss, as is commonly thought. associated with hypovitaminosis, which the mother inevitably experiences during pregnancy and lactation. That is why it is so important to think not about how prolactin and folk remedies affect hormones, but to try to make up for the lack of vitamins in the body.

How to reduce prolactin in women with folk remedies

To reduce the level of prolactin in the blood, drug treatment is prescribed, and in some cases, even surgery is required. But folk remedies aimed at reducing stress can also help:

• Herbal teas. Chamomile and mint are ideal. Drinks are recommended to be drunk at least 3 times a day for 2-3 weeks. Then you need to take a break of 10 days.
• Calming fees to reduce emotional stress. It is desirable that in their composition of folk remedies were valerian, St. John's wort, motherwort, lemon balm or hawthorn.
• If an increased level of prolactin is observed in a pregnant girl or a nursing mother, it is recommended to balance the diet by including more fermented milk products, cheeses, nuts, fish, vegetables and fruits.

When tested for prolactin, moms have a higher hormone level than others. At the same time, it is lower for working girls than for housewives.

What foods contain prolactin

Since a low level of prolactin is required for the normal functioning of the reproductive system, there is no point in looking for products containing this hormone. An active lifestyle, good sleep and low stress levels help to reduce prolactin. Prolactin and weight are closely related - with an excess of the hormone, the risk of gaining very quickly increases.

Prolactin levels that are too low are also bad news. For example, girls with low levels of the hormone in their blood are less likely to have orgasms.

The complex human body depends on the well-coordinated work of all organs and systems. Failure in the functionality of any one organ entails a huge number of problems. For example, some diseases require a hormone test. And therefore you can often hear a question from women: "And on what day of the cycle should I take prolactin?"

Hormone prolactin

The human hormonal (endocrine) system is responsible for all processes occurring during life. The main organ of this complex organization is the pituitary gland. Is it where women develop this? It is a hormone essential for breast growth and lactation.

An interesting fact is that despite the seemingly absolutely female purpose, prolactin is also produced by the pituitary gland of men. However, all the functions of this component of the group of lactin-like proteins have not yet been fully understood. So this hormone is produced in a certain amount throughout a person's life.

Hormonal rhythms

Everyone has heard about biorhythms. Many may even feel certain changes in the body based on such rhythm. So the production of the hormone prolactin is subject to such fluctuations. They depend on many reasons that can both increase and decrease the production of this hormone.

For women, a characteristic increase in prolactin production occurs during pregnancy and breastfeeding. But for both women and men, its production can increase significantly due to depression, stress, psychosis, anxiety, and severe pain. Influence on the increase in the production of prolactin and large doses of alcohol, drugs, some antidepressants, antipsychotics, tranquilizers, normotimics.

Most birth control pills, estrogen, and some anti-vomiting drugs also cause more prolactin to be produced. But taking glucocorticoids, antagonists and thyroid hormones reduces the production of this hormone. That is why, in certain situations, a prolactin test is necessary. Where to take and how, the attending physician who prescribes such an examination will tell you.

Pregnancy

The main purpose of prolactin is the work of the mammary glands and the activity of the reproductive apparatus of the human body. With the onset of sexual development, its production increases, affecting the development of the breast, ducts, and the formation of the mammary gland capable of producing milk for feeding a newborn baby.

Scientists have found that the formation of prolactin in itself does not affect the secretion of milk in any way, but this hormone is responsible for its formation, the amount in the mother's mammary glands. The whole process of procreation is built on hormones and the cyclical nature of certain processes in a woman's body. This is why some research is done with menstruation. "Analysis for prolactin on what day of the cycle to take?" - this question is of interest to those women who are prescribed a similar examination by a doctor.

Lactation

Feeding a baby with breast milk is the main opportunity to strengthen the immunity of a newborn baby. In the first months of life, this is how he receives all the necessary nutrients. And the production of colostrum and milk is a complex process in which many reactions are linked. Prolactin also plays a significant role here.

Although this hormone does not have any effect on the very process of milk secretion from a woman's mammary glands, it works on the production of colostrum, its amount, maturation and conversion into milk. According to some reports, it is because of the presence of prolactin in a significant amount during lactation that a woman cannot get pregnant - the hormone acts as a contraceptive.

Male prolactin?

The hormone prolactin is not only necessary for women to be able to breastfeed. It is also produced in men. Scientists have found that prolactin plays a role in the functioning of the immune system, in regulating the water-electrolyte balance of the human body. It is an important element of the entire endocrine system.

But for high-quality work, prolactin must be produced in a certain amount. So, an increased level of prolactin in men causes problems in sexual activity - the feeling of attraction (libido) decreases, the quality of sperm deteriorates, in which the number of spermatozoa decreases. Therefore, men may also be interested in the question: "Why take prolactin?"

What is the analysis for?

Some conditions of the human body, diseases are based on hormonal imbalance. And the analysis for hormones in certain situations will help to establish the cause of the malaise, some violations, and therefore, choose the right treatment. So, to find out the level of the hormone prolactin, it is necessary to donate blood to determine the level of its content. The most common reasons for the appointment of such a survey are:

• abnormal discharge from the chest, both in non-pregnant and non-lactating women and in men;
• pain in the mammary glands;
• chronic inflammation of the genital area;
• infertility;
• menstrual irregularities;
• obesity;
• impotence;
• decreased libido;
• severe climacteric disorders.

The prolactin test is also part of a comprehensive hormonal study. For women, when prescribing such an analysis, the question arises: "Prolactin on what day of the cycle should I take?" The answer to it will be given by the doctor who prescribes the examination.

Preparing to test for prolactin

Everyone who is assigned such a test thinks about how to correctly pass the analysis for prolactin. There is nothing impossible about preparation. For women who are not pregnant, it is necessary to donate blood for prolactin on the 5-8th day of the cycle. There are also several general recommendations that do not depend on the patient's gender:

• exclude sexual intercourse one day before the analysis;
• exclude visiting saunas and steam rooms a day before donating blood for the hormone prolactin;
• exclude increased physical activity the day before the analysis;
• it is not recommended to consume fatty foods and alcohol a day before taking the test;
• do not smoke one hour before blood sampling;
• be in a calm emotional state;
• it is necessary to donate blood for prolactin in the morning, no later than 3 hours after waking up;
• the analysis is taken on an empty stomach, you can only drink water.

Dependence on the monthly cycle

Women who are not expecting the birth of a baby in the next 9 months, when prescribing an analysis, are always interested in what day of the menstrual cycle prolactin is given. It is best to take this examination during the period from 5 to 8 days of the menstrual cycle. Some clinicians believe that the level of prolactin depends little on the rhythm of menstruation and it is easy to recalculate it depending on the day of menstruation. But it is better to come to the analysis in the first days of the cycle in order to get the most accurate results possible.

Normal indicators

The endocrine system is complex and multifunctional, it controls all processes in the human body, and failures in its work lead to many health problems. The same applies to such a specific hormone as prolactin. The norm in women by age and in men has been determined from numerous studies. But you should always take into account the fact that its level can fluctuate even depending on the mood and emotional state of the subject. Will talk in more detail about the level of a hormone such as prolactin, the table below.

Characteristically, in newborns, the level of prolactin in the blood is initially high. This is due to being in the womb, whose body is preparing for childbirth and lactation. Within a month or two, this figure decreases significantly. The gradational spread of the hormone level for patients older than 1 year is associated with many factors, including the psychoemotional mood for the blood sampling procedure. The answer to the question: "Where can I take the analysis for prolactin?" simple - in a medical institution that accepts such tests.

If the indicator is higher than normal

The level of prolactin in the blood of a person in an approximate norm has a fairly wide spread, because its production increases for many everyday reasons, even a plentiful evening dinner or a cigarette smoked in the morning will affect the indicators. But with certain health problems, the level of prolactin will be high even if all the requirements for preparing for the test are met. An excess of the norm of prolactin in human blood makes it possible to assume the following:

• some diseases of the hypothalamus, causing active production of the hormone;
• responsible for the production of prolactin;
• violation in the functioning of the adrenal cortex;
• renal failure;
• diseases of the female genital area, for example, polycystic ovaries;
• decreased thyroid function;
• hypoglycemia;
• anorexia (nervous);
• the use of certain medications.

Also, an increase in the level of prolactin in the blood is characteristic of pregnancy.

If the indicator is below normal

For women, the question is typical: "Prolactin on what day of the cycle should I take?" A blood test on the 5-8th day of the menstrual cycle will give the most accurate results of such an examination. Although the level of prolactin in the blood can fluctuate for many reasons, a significant decrease in it indicates possible health problems for both women and men, such as:

• pituitary tuberculosis;
• (pituitary apoplexy);
• neoplasms of the brain, including malignant;
• taking certain medications;
• traumatic brain injury;
• radiation therapy.

A decrease in the level of prolactin in the blood of a pregnant woman indicates a prolonged pregnancy and the need to take certain measures for the birth of a child.

Pathologies and prolactin

The level of the hormone prolactin in humans has one feature - it has a very wide spread in the indicators that are considered normal, and the level changes for many reasons, quite common - overeating, smoking, stressful situations, poor sleep.

Control of prolactin in the blood is necessary for medical reasons, because a steady change in the amount of this component of the endocrine system can cause malfunctions in the work of the whole body as a whole, in women, for example, cause infertility. In men, a change in the level of prolactin within pathological boundaries is extremely rare. Increased or decreased prolactin levels require re-examination in 10-14 days to confirm the result. Then a comprehensive examination is carried out to establish the cause of the violation of the level of the hormone in the blood.

Treatment to lower prolactin levels in men and women

One of the important hormones is prolactin. What is it about women? This is a substance produced by the endocrine system that promotes the development of the mammary glands, the production of milk for feeding the baby. The role of prolactin is not yet sufficiently understood, but scientists have found that it has a huge effect on all organs and systems of the human body. Therefore, disturbances in its production cause many health problems.

A change in the level of prolactin in a man's blood is quite rare. But for women, such a pathology is a frequent occurrence. Treatment of hyperprolactinemia is carried out in accordance with the cause that caused it. After the diagnosis is made, the attending physician may prescribe hormonal adjustments, treatment of the tumor with radiation therapy, and surgery.

All treatment methods must correspond to the patient's condition, take into account both the disease itself and concomitant diseases, anamnesis, possible contraindications to the chosen method of eliminating the problem.

For every person, problems of the endocrine system are a common cause of diseases and pathological conditions. Therefore, regular medical examination, passing the necessary tests will help maintain health and improve the condition. To establish the causes of ailments, a frequently prescribed test is prolactin. On which day of the cycle to take it is an important question for women.

Although many doctors believe that it is here that the specific day of menstruation does not play any role, it is still best for the correct results to come for an examination on the 5-8th day of the cycle. If the results do not correspond to normal indicators, a second examination is carried out two weeks later. Then the doctor decides on further examination to establish the cause of the prolactin level disorders.

Prolactin(luteotropin, mammotropin) - a pituitary hormone that is responsible for the growth of the mammary glands and ensures the production of breast milk in women. It is found in small amounts in the body of men.

A distinctive feature of prolactin is sharp fluctuations that can be associated with sleep, medication, active sexual stimulation, chest trauma. In healthy people, hormone levels return to normal within a few hours. Long-term increases in blood prolactin levels need to be corrected as they can cause health problems.

Hyperprolactinemia- a high content of prolactin in the blood, occurs in 1% of women. Increased hormone production outside of pregnancy and lactation can have serious consequences, up to the cessation of menstruation and infertility. Increased prolactin in men is extremely rare.
To determine the level of prolactin, you need to donate blood from a vein.

The role of prolactin in the body

Daily rhythm of secretion

How prolactin works

Forms of prolactin

Monomeric- the most active, it causes the corresponding changes in the body.
Dimeric the prolactin form does not bind to cell receptors.
Polymer the form does not pass through the capillary wall due to the large size of the molecule and does not affect the body. In the presence of a polymer and dimeric form, the analysis for prolactin shows an excess of the norm, but at the same time there are no symptoms of hyperprolactinemia, and treatment is not required.

Release of prolactin during pregnancy and after childbirth

Prolactin stabilizes 4-6 weeks after the baby is born. But its level remains consistently high for several more months due to stimulation of the nipples during feeding, which allows you to maintain lactation. This mechanism explains why frequent breastfeeding increases milk supply.
The high level of prolactin in a nursing mother protects her from repeated pregnancy. It suppresses the formation of pituitary gonadotropic hormones and prevents ovulation and the development of the corpus luteum, which is manifested by the absence of menstruation in the first months of breastfeeding. Occasionally, pregnancy in such conditions can still occur.

Why is a prolactin test prescribed? (main indications for this analysis)

Signs of increased prolactin levels at different ages

Signs of low prolactin levels

How to prepare for a prolactin test

The day before the study, if possible, refrain from:

• injuries;
• smoking;
• alcohol;
• psychotropic substances;
• an abundance of protein and carbohydrate foods;
• sexual intercourse;
• irritation of the nipples and areolas - sexual stimulation, tight underwear;
• thermal procedures - baths, hot baths;
• lack of sleep;
• physical activity.

If it was not possible to avoid these factors, then it is recommended to postpone the delivery of the analysis for 3 days.
On the morning of the day of testing, you must refuse food, tea and coffee.
Blood for prolactin needs to be donated in the morning hours: from 9 to 11.

On what day of the menstrual cycle is blood taken for analysis?

However, some endocrinologists indicate that the best period for passing the analysis for prolactin is 5-8 days of the menstrual cycle.

Normal values ​​of prolactin

In what pathologies are prolactin levels increased?

• pregnancy;
• lactation period;
• babies from birth to 3 months;
• trauma to the chest;
• abortion;
• undergone surgical operations on the chest;
• sexual intercourse, intense stimulation of the nipples;
• stress;
• hypoglycemia - low blood sugar;
• a high protein diet;
• overheating, visiting saunas, baths;
• hard physical training;
• trauma;
• pain;
• hypovitaminosis of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine);
• taking medications:

• hormonal preparations containing estrogen and contraceptives;
• dopamine blockers - sulpiride, domperidone;
• neuroleptics - haloperidol, sulpiride, perphenazine;
• antiemetic - cerucal, chlorpromazine, aeron;
• tricyclic antidepressants - haloperidol, imipramine, amitriptyline;
• antihypertensive drugs - reserpine, verapamil;
• cocaine, opiates, promedol.

Under what pathologies are the prolactin levels reduced?

• Pituitary apoplexy(Sheehan's syndrome) is an acute circulatory disorder leading to necrosis in the pituitary adenoma.
• Massive blood loss over 500 ml, for example, bleeding after childbirth.
• Brain tumors leading to compression of the pituitary gland.
• Pituitary tuberculosis- a rare form of tuberculosis.
• Radiation therapy which caused the destruction of pituitary cells;
• Traumatic brain injury accompanied by edema or damage to the pituitary gland.

• prolongation of pregnancy over 41 weeks;
• smoking and alcoholism;
• starvation;
• age over 50;
• long-term medication intake:

• antiepileptic drugs - valproic acid, phenytoin, carbamazepine;
• dopaminergic drugs - levodopa, bromocriptine, dopamine;
• hormonal drugs - terguride, dexamethasone, nafarelin, danazol, cyproterone, epostan, calcitonin, tamoxifen, mifepristone;
• anti-tuberculosis - rifampicin;
• hypotensive - nifedipine;
• opioids - morphine.

How do women reduce prolactin levels?

1. Computed tomography CT, magnetic resonance imaging MRI or X-ray of the skull in 2 projections to exclude a pituitary tumor.
2. Study of thyroid function to exclude hypothyroidism - ultrasound.
3. Pregnancy test for women of reproductive age. If there is a possibility that the woman does not know about the onset of pregnancy.
4. Biochemical blood test to determine the state of the liver and kidneys.
5. Tests for hormones to exclude diseases of the endocrine system, accompanied by an increase in prolactin:

• TSH - thyroid stimulating hormone of the thyroid gland.
• IGF-1 is an insulin-like growth factor 1 that regulates the secretion of growth hormone.
• FSH is a follicle-stimulating hormone of the anterior pituitary gland.
• Determination of the level of macroprolactin (inactive forms) by polyethylene glycol precipitation.

1. Treatment of diseases of the endocrine system leads to the normalization of hormonal status and a decrease in prolactin. Sometimes drugs have to be taken for life. Depending on the detected pathology, the following is prescribed:

• analogues of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (eutirox, L-thyroxine);
• adrenal hormones (hydrocortisone, prednisolone, fludrocortisone);
• estrogen antagonists (tamoxifen) increase the sensitivity of receptors to estrogen.

1. Suppression of prolactin synthesis. Dopamine D 2 receptor agonists are used. Parlodel at 2.5-3.5 mg per day, lisuride at 0.05-0.075 mg, dostinex at 0.5 mg once a week. These drugs bind to dopamine receptors in the brain, allowing the pituitary gland to release fewer prolactin molecules. The hormonal activity of the tumor and its size decrease, lactation is suppressed and the menstrual cycle normalizes. The dosage and duration of admission is determined individually, based on the test results.

1. Radiation therapy... Destruction of a pituitary tumor by ionizing radiation. Combines with drug therapy or is carried out after surgical treatment.

Indications: large tumors of the pituitary gland, not amenable to drug therapy.
Contraindications lymphopenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, diseases of the nervous system, diseases accompanied by fever, purulent or inflammatory processes in the field of radiation, diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory system, renal failure.
Efficiency

1. Surgery... Removal of the pituitary tumor is performed through the sinuses.

How do they reduce the level of prolactin in a man?

1. X-ray of the skull in 2 projections, CT or MRI to detect a tumor in the pituitary gland.
2. Ultrasound of the thyroid gland to diagnose hypothyroidism.
3. A biochemical blood test to detect signs of liver and kidney disease.
4. Tests for hormones to identify diseases of the endocrine system:

• TSH - thyroid stimulating hormone of the thyroid gland
• IGF-1 is an insulin-like growth factor 1 that regulates the secretion of growth hormone.
• LH - luteinizing hormone of the anterior pituitary gland.
• FSH - follicle-stimulating

1. Hormone replacement therapy. With hypothyroidism, a synthetic thyroid hormone (eutirox, L-thyroxine) is prescribed. If the adrenal glands function is impaired, analogs of their hormones are taken (hydrocortisone, prednisolone, fludrocortisone). Restoring hormonal balance leads to the normalization of prolactin.

1. Radiation therapy... Exposure to pituitary tumor with ionizing radiation. Combines with drug therapy or after surgical removal of the tumor. Perhaps remote irradiation or the introduction of isotopes into tumor tissue.

1. Surgery... Removal of a pituitary tumor through the sinuses with an endoscopic surgical instrument. Macroadenomas larger than 2 cm are removed by craniotomy.

Many women wonder when to take prolactin? In the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland in women and men, an important hormone, prolactin, is produced. It strongly affects the female reproductive system, the central nervous system and the breastfeeding process. Prolactin contributes to:

• the development of the mammary glands in girls during puberty;
• stimulating the process of milk formation in a woman's breast during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• regulation of water-salt balance;
• normalization of the menstrual cycle in girls during puberty.

Essence of the question

This hormone will be released in the male body. It is believed to affect testosterone levels and new sperm production.

There is a certain norm for the level of prolactin in the body. An increase in its content may indicate a pituitary adenoma, brain and liver diseases. A decrease in the hormone can occur due to severe blood loss, depletion of the body.

An analysis of the level of hormones in the blood is usually prescribed by an endocrinologist, gynecologist. Perhaps the appointment will be written by an andrologist or therapist.

What are the reasons for the examination in women? The doctor may prescribe a study for:

• enlargement of the mammary glands;
• excretion of colostrum (during the period when the woman is not in position);
• menstrual irregularities
• lack of ovulation (which can be caused by hormonal imbalance, the difference between prolactin and progesterone levels);
• infertility (which is usually associated with the lack of ovulation as such, that is, hormonal imbalance in the body).

What are the reasons for the examination in men? The doctor will prescribe an analysis for a man if:

• there is a decrease in libido;
• there is impotence;
• infertility is pronounced.

General indicators for the appointment of an analysis for this hormone will be symptoms such as:

• increased body weight;
• multiple caries;
• persistent headaches;
• deterioration of vision;
• severe acne;
• constant stressful condition.

Doctors identify physiological and pathological reasons for the increase in prolactin levels.

Physiological reasons include:

• stress;
• excessive mental and emotional stress;
• alcohol consumption;
• abuse of nicotine;
• improper diet (intake of exclusively protein foods);
• pregnancy and lactation period;
• taking certain medications that increase prolactin levels.

The pathological causes of increased prolactin levels include the presence of prolactinoma, a benign tumor that produces a large amount of the hormone.

Blood for prolactin is also prescribed in order to exclude the presence of a pituitary adenoma or the activity of this neoplasm, if it has already been detected.

The doctor receives reliable results only if the person taking the prolactin test is completely healthy. Any deviations from the norm, even SARS, can lead to inaccurate analysis results.

Prolactin levels also increase with severe emotional upheavals. It is necessary to bring the patient's psychological health back to normal before prescribing an analysis for this hormone.

In pregnant women and during the lactation period, the level of prolactin is increased. And although there are certain standards, doctors do not recommend carrying out this analysis during this period. Prolactin levels increase during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.

In order for the results of the analysis to be as reliable as possible, it is necessary to competently prepare for it, observe a certain regime, and exclude provoking factors.

• exclude physical activity up to 24 hours before the test;
• eliminate psychological stress;
• exclude sexual intercourse on the eve of the study;
• refuse thermal procedures, baths, saunas and even a hot bath;
• follow a certain diet, excluding protein foods and sweets from the diet;
• it is imperative to abandon the use of any alcohol and energy drinks that stimulate the body to increase the release of prolactin;
• last meal - 8 hours before the analysis;
• Get enough sleep (not getting enough sleep can lead to an increase in prolactin levels).

If a test for prolactin is scheduled, how to take the test? On the day of the analysis, first of all, you need to calm down and not worry. Strong emotions can lead to high blood levels of the hormone. There are rules that must be observed on the day of taking the material for analysis:

1. Wake up early. The person must be awake for at least 3 hours before taking the test.
2. Refuse food and even tea or coffee.
3. Give up nicotine.
4. It is better to take the test from 8 to 10 am (in the afternoon, the level of prolactin in the blood usually increases very much, and the analysis cannot be considered accurate).
5. Wear loose underwear that will not chafe or irritate the genitals (any irritation can lead to the release of prolactin).

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What day should the research be done?

What day to take prolactin? It is important to remember that a woman's menstrual period is not an obstacle to taking the test. Although some experts note that this analysis is best taken 3-5 days after the start of menstruation or on the 23-26th day of the general cycle (if it is 29 days). A woman who has finished breastfeeding may be tested one week after the last latch on.

Before the analysis itself, you need to calm down, catch your breath, bring the body back to normal. Sit near the doctor's office for 10-15 minutes, tune in. Blood is taken from a vein. It doesn't hurt, but some patients are afraid of this type of injections and tests. The best recommendation is not to look at the syringe and at the doctor performing the manipulation, close your eyes or look away.

In some cases, you have to take the analysis again, especially when there are minor deviations from the norm. Re-analysis is usually scheduled 10-14 days after the first study.

How to lower the level of prolactin in the blood?

In some cases, you can reduce the level of the hormone in the blood by folk remedies, and not medication. But this is rather an exception to the rule.

Thus, you can fight stress, which leads to an increase in the level of the hormone in the blood:

1. Eat herbal teas, preferably chamomile and mint infusions.
2. Take sedatives (motherwort, hawthorn, valerian).
3. Follow a diet that includes cheeses, nuts, fish, dairy products, vegetables and fruits. This is especially helpful for pregnant girls who need to reduce the level of prolactin in the blood).

Remember that a high level of the hormone is an indication for drug treatment, but a low level of the hormone in the blood does not lead to anything good. For example, women with low levels of this substance have fewer orgasms.

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Another thing to look out for is the link between hormone levels and hair loss. Some moms-to-be believe that hair loss is related to high prolactin levels, but this is actually not the case. It's just that the female body during this period is experiencing an acute shortage of vitamins. It is about their replenishment that one must think about.

For an accurate diagnosis with an increased or decreased level of this substance, it is imperative to consult a specialist. Only a doctor can determine the physiological or pathological nature of this phenomenon. If a pathology is detected, the doctor will definitely prescribe additional studies, for example, an MRI of the brain. If you consider it necessary to normalize the level of this hormone in the blood with folk remedies, be sure to consult with a specialist. Pregnant women and those who have recently given birth need to be very attentive to themselves, remember that even with an increased level of prolactin, menstruation can begin and ovulation can occur, which can lead to repeated pregnancy.