Prolactin is a kind of hormone that is generated by the pituitary gland. Pituitary gland typically is responsible for growth, metabolism and reproductive functions of a person. Pituitary glands also produce other important hormones such as the growth hormones, cortisol, luteinizing and follicle hormones and thyrotropin. It is extremely important that these are produced in adequate quantities. Prolactin is responsible for the production of milk in the mother’s body when she gives birth to the baby. If the mother feeds the baby with breast milk then the prolactin remains at an optimum level. When small tumors develop in the pituitary gland, it is termed as prolactinoma. The reason for development of such tumors is still not known, but usually it has not been observed to be genetic.

In prolactinoma the tumor develops and expands in such a manner that it causes pain in the nearby tissues. One is likely to experience pain in the eyes. For women a clear symptom is getting menstrual cycles in an irregular fashion. Sometimes they may even stop, leading to infertility. Some women may get milk in their breasts without being pregnant. In men it may occur in the form of impotence; however it may not show immediately. It becomes evident only when they start having headaches or pain just above the eyes. This pain in the eyes may very well be due to the tumor pressing against the nearby nerves.

Medicines such as Stelazin and Reglan can be taken. These help to stop the effect of dopamine, which is a chemical that stops the growth of prolactin. Hypothyroidism is a disorder caused by excess amount of prolactin produced by the body.

Diagnosis of prolactinoma can be done first by observing the symptoms such as infertility, breast milk secretion, headaches and so on. If these are not evident then MRI may be required, this will detect the tumors immediately. CT scan is also another way for detecting tumors.

Treatment of prolactinoma is done so that prolactin is produced in the amount as required by the body and to decrease the size of the tumor. It may also be required to take care of any visual difficulties the person may be facing. There are some medicines which help reduce the tumor. One of these medicines is bromocriptine. It helps in people suffering from infertility. Surgery in this case should be kept as the last resort. This is because there are a lot of factors that govern the surgery and its success cannot be predicted.

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