Stop Conception? Can High Prolactin Prevent Pregnancy?

Are you tired of taking birth control pills every day or using other forms of contraception? Do you wish there was a natural way to prevent pregnancy without having to undergo surgery or use harsh chemicals in your body? Well, look no further as high prolactin may be the answer.

Prolactin is a hormone that plays an essential role in lactation and breast development. However, recent studies suggest that it may also have contraceptive properties. In this article, we will explore how high prolactin levels can prevent pregnancy naturally and the potential side effects.

What is Prolactin?

Before diving into how prolactin affects fertility let's first understand what exactly it is.

Prolactin (PRL) also known as Luteotropic Hormone (LTH) or Luteotropin belongs to a class of hormones called peptides; which are produced by the anterior pituitary gland/ lactotroph cells.¹

How Does High Prolactin Levels Affect Fertility?

High levels of prolactin play an essential role in suppressing ovulation. Ovulation occurs when estrogen reaches its peak level causing the release of luteinizig hormone (LH). LH then causes ovulation whereby eggs travel from ovaries through fallopian tubes.²

However, high levels of PRL suppress estrogen production leading to suppressed ovulation while increasing progesterone secretion post-ovulatory phase leading up until menstruation. Additionally, increased post-ovulatory blood flow leads to endometrial stimulation providing optimal conditions for implantation which lowers chances one might become pregnant.³

Symptoms Of High Prolacting level

Having elevated levels come with some physical changes such:

• Infertility
• Reduced libido
• Irregular periods⁴

Other symptoms associated with Hyperprolactinemia are:

• Milk production in both males and females
• Impaired vision
• Headaches

It is important to seek guidance from a healthcare professional if these symptoms occur more frequently.

Medical Reasons For High Prolactin levels

High prolactic level can be due to various reasons such as,

Pituitary Tumor

Pituitary tumor affecting lactotroph cells leads to excessive secretion. Since the pituitary gland controls most body functions; excessive hormone release is detrimental for one's health ⁶.

Stress

During stress, stimulation of vasopressin-secreting neurons may lead to high prolactin concentration since they receive inputs from corticotropes.The same goes with vigorous physical exercise which leads to increased cortisol / catecholamine levels. Both factors ultimately enable prolactin secretion⁵.

Diagnosis And Treatment

A urine or blood test will determine the exact amount of PRL secreted by your anterior pituitary glands . Doctors also check thyroid function test (TSH) because thyroids play a major role in lactation.When there is Hyperprolacting Lactineamia caused due an underactive thyroid hormone called hypothyroidism,the treatment plan for that need only focus on correcting deficient thyriod hormones.⁷

Alternatively, certain medications like dopamine agonists may reduce the excess secretions exhibited shirking hypersecretion tenfolds.Diagnosis formality usually calls for MRI scans of brain after blood work turns out positive.⁸

How Effective Is High Prolactic Level As Contraception?

Studies show that breastfeeding mothers have reduced fertility until they cease breastfeeding since milk production and secretion go hand in gloves with high-Proclaction concentration.Consequently,taking note of the growth rate or nutritional patterns should prompt continued usage[frequency/amount] ; otherwise Pre-existing conditions could indicate caution against using this method of birth control. It is, therefore, effective as long one maintains the said levels.

Side Effects

High PRL comes with some consequences such as:

• Osteporosis: Studies indicate that reduced estrogen production can lead to osteoporosis¹⁰;

  "Reduced bone mass index/risk factors were noted in postmenopausal women with hyperprolacting lacteamia."

• Male infertility: Elevated prolactin levels are associated with decreased Testosterone/LH/FSH ratio or even decreases sperm parameters, the underlying cause being hypothalamic amenorrhea ¹¹;

  "Hyperprolactinaemia impairs reproductive performance by interfering GnRH pulsatility and causing hypogonadotropic hypogonadism completely disrupting hypothalamus-pituitary-testicular axis."

Conclusion

In conclusion, high prolactin may offer a natural way to prevent conception. However, it's important to understand your body's hormonal balance and consult with a healthcare professional before making any decisions about using this method for birth control.Listening to how our bodies processes respond is an always an advisable course of action.On a lighter note? Ask yourself if babies aren't adorable nuggets plus imagine attending their first day at school...Oh wait! That ship has sailed,but let pros address concerns without letting biological clocks loudly tick over time.[^12]