What is the relationship between high milk hormone levels and pregnancy? Check out our article for more information.
The body systems are like cogwheels that are interconnected. Any disturbance in any system affects the entire health. The endocrine system affects the endocrine glands and hormones in body functions. It provides balance by keeping secretions from the growth hormone to the sex glands under control. Prolactin, also known as the milk hormone, is responsible for the development of the mammary glands and milk production in women during the puerperium. High milk hormone levels in women at certain periods can also indicate various diseases.
The pituitary gland acts as a stimulant for hormonal balance. This structure, which has a posterior and anterior lobe, is quite small. The pea-sized pituitary, located at the bottom of the brain, reacts to internal and external factors. These reactions cause differences in our emotions or physical appearance as our hormones increase and decrease. The milk hormone secreted from the adenohypophysis, or the anterior lobe, belongs to the endocrine (internal secretion) type. The hormone, which has different functions for the two sexes, is very important for women.
Prolactin, secreted together with the estrogen hormone, also ensures the emergence of gender characteristics. High milk hormone levels are seen in women in the eighth week of pregnancy. The reason for this is to prepare the developed mammary glands for motherhood. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the hormone that is higher than normal in the body of the individual prevents pregnancy. The reason for this is that it prevents the secretion of FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and GnRH (sex gland) hormones. The FSH hormone stimulates egg production in women and sperm production in men.
Prolactin Hormone and Pregnancy Status
Prolactin hormone causes women to not have their period and not be able to get pregnant. The reason for this is the mechanism that the endocrine system creates within itself. The increase in prolactin, the milk hormone, prevents the secretion of the FSH hormone to maintain balance in the body. Mothers who breastfeed regularly may face problems such as irregular menstruation. Since the effect of the FSH hormone stops egg production, the possibility of getting pregnant is quite low.
Causes of High Milk Hormone Levels
While it is considered normal to have high prolactin during pregnancy and breastfeeding, some situations indicate diseases. High milk hormone levels, called hyperprolactinemia, are affected by adenomas, which are benign tumors. Cushing’s syndrome, which occurs due to excess cortisol hormone, is the cause of high milk hormone levels. Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels), kidney failure and various medications cause irregularities in prolactin hormone levels.
Heavy exercises and lack of sleep reduce our living standards and affect our hormonal structure. Wearing tight clothes, stress, unbalanced diet and antidepressant medications are related to high milk hormone levels. Anorexia, breast traumas and lung cancer due to unbalanced diet affect milk hormone levels. As we mentioned at the beginning of our article, physical and psychological preferences in your life affect body systems. The human body, which is a social being, receives its share not only from physical and chronic diseases but also from psychological factors.
Diagnosis and Treatment Methods Used in High PRL
Prolactin value, known as the milk hormone among the public, should be around 2-29 nanograms in women. The hormone, which increases to 209 values during pregnancy, prevents pregnancy by affecting the FSH hormone. Apart from breastfeeding and pregnancy periods, the milk that comes from the nipples spontaneously or when squeezed shows the high prolactin.
Physically, breast growth and pain are also seen. Headache, vision loss, sexual reluctance and menstrual irregularity problems may be encountered. Blood test gives a definite result in the diagnosis of high milk hormone. The diagnosis is made by looking at the PRL value in the blood. The time of taking the blood test is important for a healthy data.
Prolactin hormone value may change during the day. For this reason, blood test is taken in the morning. In addition, sleeplessness and sexual intercourse should be avoided on the day the blood is taken. The path to be followed after the diagnosis procedures is very important. Drug use may be seen in the treatment process of the disease or factor that the high PRL hormone is based on, as in adenomas. Adenomas are benign masses that do not require surgical intervention. The mass located near the pituitary gland is reduced with medication. If medication is not sufficient and the mass is large, surgical intervention is required.
The Effect of Healthy Living on PRL Elevation
The first treatment method used for high milk hormone is medication. However, before this, a balanced diet and staying away from stress factors will have positive results in PRL hormone. Due to our biological structure, sleep affects the nervous and endocrine systems considerably. It is also important to receive medical support during this process. Uncertain methods such as herbs, cures, plants to regulate PRL hormone will cause a waste of time.
