Prolactin is basically a hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland of a human body. This gland sits at the bottom of the brain and is responsible for stimulating the presence of prolactin in the body. Prolactin is responsible for causing the breasts to grow and develop. It is also responsible for milk production post-delivery in a recently borne mother. In general, both the men and the women have small traces of prolactin in their blood. The presence of prolactin level is usually controlled by other hormones in the body, popularly known as the prolactin inhibiting factors (PIFs) like dopamine.
What makes the regulation of prolactin level so important?
Prolactin level in a woman’s body usually increases at the time of pregnancy. There is a sudden drop in the level of estrogen and progesterone post-delivery. It is essential for the new mother to have high prolactin level, as it is the only hormone that is responsible god triggering the body to make milk – essential for breastfeeding. On the other hand, an appropriate level of prolactin is equally significant in a non-pregnant woman too! This prolactin, in them, does the job of regulating the menstrual cycle or periods. Prolactin also helps the men to assure sperm production.
What are prolactin inhibitors?
Prolactin inhibitors are generally agents that are responsible for inhibiting the production of prolactin in a human body, a hormone that has its major role post childbirth, as well as to regularize the menstrual cycle. These inhibitors are also known as dopamine agonists and they are extremely essential to treat conditions such as hyperprolactinemia (a condition where a woman tends to have a prolactin level that is higher than the normal). The proper administration of inhibitors will consequently ensure the sexual arousal, intensity of sexual drive and orgasm in a male or a female.
What happens where there is a sudden hike in the level of prolactin?
A sudden alteration in the prolactin level can interfere with the flow of other hormones in the body, thereby leading to symptoms such as ceased ovulation leading to infertility, irregular or missed periods, loss of libido, change in menstrual flow, pain in the breasts, abnormal production of milk (galactorrhea), and vaginal dryness. Some women may exhibit absolutely no symptoms when suffering from hyperprolactinemia. This increment may result in causing several complications in a woman, and it can call for a medical assistance and at times surgery, particularly in case of pituitary tumors. You can maintain level of prolactin via generic cabergoline after knowing cabergoline side effects and consulting doctor because doctor suggest you to buy it from generic island.
How does dopamine inhibit the level of prolactin?
Dopamine serves to be a hormone that travels to the anterior pituitary of the brain via the hypophyseal portal vessel. It is capable of inhibiting the prolactin secretion by the anterior pituitary cells.
How to intake prolactin inhibitors?
Since hyperprolactinemia cause several complications in a woman, it is important to visit a gynecologist to the earliest and take any medicine only under the practitioner’s guidance. You can definitely intake prolactin inhibitors but make sure that you are well aware of the consequences too! Therefore, you should never delay in fetching a medical assistance in case you see any unexpected symptom. However, the most common side effects of intaking prolactin inhibitors include nausea, dizziness, constipation, acute stomachache, weakness, headache and low blood pressure.
The most commonly prescribed medications include bromocriptine (Cycloset, Parlodel) and cabergoline. They are potent of decreasing the level of prolactin in a woman, thereby assuring the appropriate regulation of hormones, and therefore, the menstrual flow and normal milk supply as follows!
