infertility

Prolactinoma is benign pituitary tumor.  So, why am I writing about it on an infertility blog? Because it produces prolactin, a hormone necessary in the production of breast milk.  Again, why am I writing about it — because it can cause you to be infertile if your prolactin levels are too high.

Although men may also suffer from prolactinoma, it is more common and (most often) easier treated in women.  (Treatment in women is easier because the condition is usually diagnosed much earlier.)  Symptoms in women include: irregular (or lack of) menstrual periods, a milky discharge from the breast when not lactating or pregnant, infertility and vaginal dryness.  Symptoms reported by men usually include headaches and vision problems (due to the tumor size).

The cause of prolactinoma is unknown, but some doctors believe that stress can contribute to the problem.  (Like that’s what an infertile woman needs to hear yet again, “Stop stressing.. it’ll happen” UGH!).  Some medications, though, can cause an increase in prolactin levels - but not the tumor.

Blood tests can reveal prolactin levels in the blood, clueing a physician in on the raised levels.  If the serum test reveals an elevated level, brain imaging tests and vision tests are usually the next step.  Most often, true prolactinoma is diagnosed via brain imaging tests.

Most of the time, prolactinoma can be treated with medications, and fertility can be restored.  Sometimes, though, surgery might be necessary if the tumor is large and is pressing on other brain tissue and causing problems.  Serious complications can occur if prolactinoma goes untreated, so if you suspect that you or someone you know has this disorder, seek treatment.  Just because a tumor is benign is no reason to ignore it, and this is one of the few causes of infertility that can be fairly easily overcome.

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