If you're pregnant or have recently given birth, you have a hormone circulating in your bloodstream called prolactin. It's important for two major functions, but your prolactin level can be decreased by a small but powerful molecule.
Significance
According to mediLexicon, prolactin is a hormone produced in the anterior section of the hypophysis area of the brain. Prolactin is important because it helps support breast growth during pregnancy. It's also responsible for stimulating the secretion of milk to nurse your infant. Prolactin is known as the lactation hormone and may be referred to as galactopoietic hormone, lactogenic hormone, lactotropin, mammotropic factor or mammotropic hormone.
Considerations
Dopamine is sometimes called the prolactin-inhibiting factor or PIF. It's a small molecule with diverse functions but with regard to lactaion, it inhibits the secretion of prolactin produced by your anterior pituitary gland. During pregnancy, your progesterone levels are also high and this prevents actual milk production. Once you give birth, those levels fall and you are able to produce breast milk due to prolactin stimulation.
Function
Dopamine inhibits lactation or milk production by your breasts by lowering prolactin levels. High levels can result in schizophrenia and psychoses. The central nervous system, or CNS, absorbs dopamine via neurons or nerve cells. The dopamine level in your body is affected by certain medications and drug abuse. With regard to lactation, dopamine inhibits lactation, but other factors in your body create a fine balance that stimulates lactation at the times it's required.
Features
Prolactin is one of the hormones involved in the growth of structures in your breast that produce breast milk once your baby has been born. Prolactin production is stimulated when you breastfeed your baby.
Expert Insight
While you are nursing, prolactin is the hormone that prevents you from getting your period again. Once you stop nursing, the levels fall because your breasts are no longer being stimulated by the suckling of your baby. If you want to avoid another pregnancy, use birth control even if you do not have regular menstrual cycles. If you are not pregnant but have high prolactin levels, you may have a tumor of the pituitary gland called a prolactinoma. This tumor can result in the production of breast milk in men and women, as well as infertility and other sexual dysfunction. Your levels can be measured by a blood test. Other causes of high prolactin levels include anorexia nervosa, medications such as tranquilizers, some anti-hypertensive drugs and some medications used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease. Your levels may also be elevated if you have hypothyroidism, kidney disease or polycystic ovary syndrome. Treatments may include using medications that contain dopamine to counteract the prolactin. Talk with your health care provider, who can determine the best plan for your condition.
