Pathological hyperprolactinemia

Pathological hyperprolactinemia

Pathological overproduction of PRL results from hypothalamic dysfunction (1), when dopamine cannot reach the prolactin cells, or from a pituitary tumor (2, prolactinoma). In addition to pathological overproduction of PRL, there are physiological (pregnancy) and pharmacological (certain drugs) causes.

Pathological hyperprolactinemia results in both man and women in infertility. The main treatment of pathological hyperprolactinemia consists of pharmacological inhibition of PRL secretion by dopamine agonists.

1

I. Gonadotropic hormones can increase PRL levels.

II. PRL secretion is inhibited by dopamine.