What is prolactin responsible for in men, which means, how to correct it

Lactotropic hormone receptors are found in most human organs, which confirms its importance and multifunctionality. Prolactin in men affects reproductive function, immune function, and the endocrine system of the body. Too high or low levels can lead to problems with conception, complete infertility and other pathological processes.

What is prolactin responsible for in a man's body, what does it affect?

The effects of mammotropin are not fully understood, known mainly associated with reproduction. Prolactin is responsible for the following processes in men:

• sex drive;
• potency;
• sperm quality;
• manifestation of secondary sexual characteristics;
• physique;
• mental health;
• sleep;
• growth of blood vessels;
• regulation of the production of testosterone, gonadotropic hormones.

In other words, lactotropin affects masculinity and the ability to conceive a child, reduces sensitivity to pain.

Do you need it or not?

Mammotropin is considered a female hormone responsible for the development of the mammary gland, lactation. But this polypeptide is present in both sexes and has important functions. It is necessary for the full maturation of the body, sexual life, proper development of sperm, adequate sleep, mental balance, metabolism.

Although the level of lactogenic polypeptide in the blood of a healthy man is not high, its decrease, like an increase, causes problems with health, well-being, and mood.

Prolactin test in men: which, when and how to take?

Preventive hormonal testing is recommended regularly, especially after 40 years. Additional examination is indicated for the following symptoms:

• problems with libido, potency;
• infertility;
• fragility of bones;
• a sharp change in body weight upwards, especially if fat is deposited according to the female type;
• increased nervous irritability, depression;
• sleep disturbance;
• lack of hair growth in the armpits and groin in a teenager during puberty;
• enlargement of the mammary glands, the presence of discharge from them.

The main analysis - a blood test from a vein, must be taken in the morning, on an empty stomach. Before that, you should give up smoking, drinking alcohol, energy drinks, vitamins, dietary supplements, herbal preparations for at least a day. Do not have sex, sports. If possible, avoid stressful situations, overheating and hypothermia. The examination should be postponed for infectious diseases, recent operations.

An additional measure is CT or MRI of the pituitary gland, since changes in mammotropin levels may be caused by a tumor.

If the symptoms do not correspond to the content of the hormone in the blood, an analysis for fractions is prescribed. A standard study reveals the general level, but only the monomeric form exhibits biological activity.

Table with the norms of prolactin in men by age

On average, the norm of prolactin in men is from 3.5 to 19 ng / ml (or 73-407 mIU / L), the figures are standardized in most laboratories, but the indicators vary with age. The maximum concentration of lactotropin is observed in newborns; as they grow older, the indicators become lower. At the onset of puberty, they may increase, and after 40 years, a sharper decrease in the amount of the hormone begins.

It is worth remembering that for a particular person the boundaries of his own norm may differ, therefore the diagnosis is based not only on analysis, but also on other signs. In addition, the level of mammotropin can change during the day: a natural decrease occurs in the evening, and stress, alcohol, pain, exercise, high protein intake or sex can increase the production of lactogenic hormone.

High: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

If prolactin is elevated, a man experiences the following symptoms:

• deterioration in the quality of sexual life, impotence and infertility;
• insomnia, lack of deep sleep;
• bad mood, up to depression;
• loss of energy, apathy;
• loss of appetite;
• slowing down the metabolism, a quick set of adipose tissue;
• galactorrhea;
• memory disorder;
• sweating of the extremities.

This phenomenon has physiological and pathological reasons. The former include abuse: alcohol, drugs, tobacco, fatty or protein foods, physical activity. As well as prolonged stress and some medications: antidepressants, antiemetics, dopamine blockers, antipsychotics, some of the pressure-lowering drugs and steroids.

An increase in lactotropin is characteristic of the following conditions:

• craniocerebral injuries;
• stimulation of the nipples and surrounding areas, including for chest injuries, shingles;
• tumors in the pituitary gland, hypothalamus;
• liver cirrhosis;
• renal failure;
• decreased thyroid function;
• some autoimmune and hereditary pathologies;
• lack of vitamin B6.

Before starting treatment, you need to identify the exact cause, since it will be possible to lower prolactin in men and maintain its stable balance only by eliminating what provoked an increase in production. Your doctor may advise you to adjust your lifestyle, diet, stop some medications, or change your dosage. Most of the pathologies are amenable to drug or surgical therapy.

In addition, to eliminate hyperprolactinemia, specialized drugs are prescribed that suppress the synthesis of lactotropic polypeptide. The most common active ingredient, bromocriptine, does not always work and often causes side effects. Medications with him:

• Bromargon;
• Abergin;
• Serocriptine;
• Parlodel.

A more effective substance that does not cause undesirable reactions is Cabergoline. Sold under its own name or as part of the following drugs:

• Dostinex;
• Bergolak;
• Agalates.

It is also possible to prescribe homeopathic drops: Mastodinon, Cyclodinone.

Low: why, signs, how to raise?

A decrease in the level of mammotropin in men is rare, manifested by the following symptoms:

• decreased libido, lack of orgasm, infertility;
• depression, anxiety;
• headaches;
• puffiness;
• obesity;
• insomnia;
• impairment of hearing, vision;
• tiredness, apathy;
• lack of signs of puberty in adolescents.

Most often, this pathological condition develops as a result of incorrect or self-treatment of hyperprolactinemia. Less often - after stress, infections, radiation, malnutrition, brain damage, diseases that inhibit sexual development. Other possible reasons:

• diseases of the liver, thyroid gland;
• bad habits;
• genetic pathologies;
• diabetes insipidus;
• the use of antiepileptic, estrogen suppressive, antihistamines.

A low level of lactotropin is corrected by good sleep, nutrition, in extreme cases, hormone replacement and dopamine suppressive drugs.

Influence of prolactin on potency

Prolactin is responsible for reproductive function, an imbalance leads to a decrease in libido, a deterioration in potency, a decrease in the quality of sex, and a lack of orgasm.

Suppression of estrogen by it provides a sufficient amount of testosterone, and inhibition of dopamine prevents too rapid and strong arousal, thereby prolonging the act.

Consequences of high and low blood hormone levels

Too high prolactin in men causes various pathologies:

• osteoporosis;
• dermatitis;
• diabetes mellitus;
• psychosis;
• the formation of stones in the bladder, kidneys;
• atherosclerosis;
• memory impairment, vision.

If the level of mammotropin is greatly reduced, the prognosis is also not favorable, threatens:

• headaches;
• decreased immunity;
• edema;
• anorgasmia.

Any imbalance leads to impotence and infertility, obesity, depression, tumors in the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.

The relationship between prolactin, testosterone and estradiol

Steroid hormones are always closely related, a decrease in the level of one of them leads to the suppression or increase in the production of the other. What does this mean in the case of mammotropin?

Prolactin in men stimulates the synthesis of testosterone, which is responsible for muscle growth, activity, including sexual activity, the formation of a sex-characteristic physique, hair growth. Therefore, hypoprolactinemia disrupts reproductive function, affects overall health, mood, immunity.

Normally, two derivatives are produced from testosterone: dihydrotestosterone and estradiol. There is not much of the latter in the male body, but it is necessary for the functioning of the brain, the strength of bones, the formation of intra-articular fluid, and ejaculate. A healthy amount of lactotropin suppresses the excessive synthesis of estradiol. Increased, on the contrary, stimulates, and accordingly leads to a decrease in the amount of testosterone, feminization.