Hyperprolactinemia Treatment

When tackling hyperprolactinemia treatment, the clinical plan to lower abnormally high prolactin levels. Also known as high prolactin management, it aims to restore hormonal balance and relieve symptoms. This guide covers hyperprolactinemia treatment options you’ll likely encounter.

The underlying condition, hyperprolactinemia, excessive secretion of the hormone prolactin, can stem from a variety of triggers. The most common trigger is a pituitary adenoma, a benign tumor in the pituitary gland that presses on prolactin‑producing cells. Other causes include certain antipsychotic drugs, hypothyroidism, and stress. Because the cause shapes the treatment path, accurate diagnosis through blood tests and MRI scans is essential.

Medication forms the backbone of hyperprolactinemia treatment, and the go‑to class is dopamine agonists, drugs that stimulate dopamine receptors to suppress prolactin release. Cabergoline and bromocriptine are the two most prescribed agents. Cabergoline offers once‑weekly dosing and fewer side effects, while bromocriptine may be preferred for patients on certain cardiac meds. The typical starting dose is low, then titrated according to serial prolactin measurements—demonstrating the semantic link: medication requires dopamine agonists, and monitoring guides dosage.

When a macroadenoma exceeds 1 cm or fails to shrink with drugs, surgery becomes the next step. Transsphenoidal surgery, performed through the nasal cavity, removes the tumor while preserving surrounding tissue. Post‑operative care still relies on regular prolactin checks to confirm remission. In some cases, radiation therapy is added if residual tumor persists. This illustrates a second semantic triple: pituitary adenoma often triggers hyperprolactinemia, so imaging is essential before deciding on surgery.

Side effects such as nausea, dizziness, or headache can influence the choice between cabergoline and bromocriptine. Women planning pregnancy need careful dose adjustments because normal prolactin levels are crucial for ovulation and lactation. Lifestyle tweaks—weight management, stress reduction, and avoiding prolactin‑boosting meds—support medical therapy and can lower the required drug dose. Monitoring prolactin levels not only guides dosing but also flags early tumor regrowth, completing our third semantic connection: monitoring prolactin levels guides dose adjustments.

What’s Inside This Collection

Below you’ll find detailed articles that walk through drug comparisons, safety tips, and real‑world experiences, giving you a solid roadmap to manage hyperprolactinemia effectively.