Becomingparents is one of the happiest moments for a couple. The journey to parenthoodisn't similar in all couples. Sometimes, to achieve parenthood, a couple, mayneed to undergo a series of treatments. Hormone imbalances are one of theleading causes of infertility. Ovulation may be disrupted, depending on thehormonal imbalances, which can manifest as irregular or absent periods. Somehormonal problems are caused when the pituitary gland in the brain doesn'trelease the proper hormones, or hormone levels are imbalanced due to stress,diet, exercise, radiation or a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS). PCOS may cause eggsto get released at irregular intervals or totally stop releasing eggs.
Onesuch hormone which can affect ovulation and cause infertilityis Prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary glandwithin the brain. Prolactin has different functions in the body but the mostimportant of them is to regulate periods and stimulate the breasts to grow andproduce milk after giving birth. Once the woman has given birth to a baby theprolactin level increases, which prepares the body for breastfeeding. Too muchprolactin in a person's blood is called hyperprolactinemia. An increased levelof prolactin reduces estrogen and interferes with ovulation, causing irregularor absent periods, thereby affecting fertility. It causes non-pregnant women toalso produce breast milk and can also lead to low bone density.
Causesof hyperprolactinemia:
•Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There is an increased level of prolactin duringpregnancy and this is considered normal.
•Prolactinoma: it is a non-cancerous growth in the pituitary gland whichincreases the production of prolactin.
•Underactive thyroid or(hypothyroidism) and stress: Adrenaline and cortisol arestress hormones. When coupled with increased intake of carbohydrates, itcreates an imbalance in carbohydrate levels. Because of the inactive thyroid,the brain is stimulated to produce TSH (Thyroid-stimulating hormone) andprolactin, which in turn reduces the estrogen affecting ovulation.
•Metabolic and hormonal conditions: any injury or damage to any other part ofthe body like diseases of the kidneys, liver, thyroid .
•Reproductive disorders like PCOS and amenorrhea can cause hyperprolactinemia.
•Certain medications used for depression and high blood pressure.
•Overactive cells in the pituitary gland: One of the common endocrinologicaldisorders affecting fertility is Hyperprolactinemia causing anovulatory cycles,luteal phase defects and sex hormone imbalances.
Infertilewomen have a higher incidence of hyperprolactinemia. So serum prolactinestimation should be done at an early stage, which is cost-effective and causesa much better outcome.
Hyperprolactinemiais an absolutely treatable condition and it is possible to get pregnant, iftreated in time. An expert infertility specialist is the best one to approach,for restoring the hormone levels to normal and makes conception easier.
Infertilityhas been one of the biggest problems for a long time, but with new treatmentsevolving, more methods to deal with this problem have surfaced.
Areyou a couple facing infertility? Is this coming in your way of being parents?
Wellthen, nothing can stop you from experiencing the joy of parenthood if you takethe right steps at the right time.
AtGarbhaGudiIVF Centre, we have solutions for everything challenge related tofertility
Consultour fertility specialist for the right diagnosis and treatment to help youenjoy parenthood.
Formore information:
Callus on- 888 000 09 09
Visitus at ggcorb@garbhagudi.com
