prolactin and fertility

[cheezypeas]

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone has had fertility problems due to raised prolactin levels? I have been tested in the past due to still producing small amounts of milk long after finishing breast feeding. Levels were found to be high but the consultant thought not enough to affect fertility (we weren't actively ttc at the time, this was 2 years ago). Well we have been ttc 10 months now without success and I have been reading up about the link between prolactin and fertility. I still get discharge from my nipples and have a short luteal phase, both of which fit in with high prolactin. GP is going to test for ovulation and prolactin in a couple of weeks time and I am 100% the tests will show raised prolactin.

So just wondering if there are any success stories out there, for ladies who have been successfully treated and concieved with high prolactin? Will I be referred to a consultant again or can it be treated by GP?

....I am off out for the day now, so sorry if I don't respond will check back this evening.

Thanks all

Hi. I saw you had no responses. I used have very high prolactin level when first TTC (in the thousands) and it was due to some of the medication I was taking - I changed to another brand and my prolactin levels came down.

I had amenorrhea (no periods) for a year beforehand as prolactin interferes with ovulation - because bf is supposed to be a natural contraceptive.

If you are ovulating and having regular periods then it is unlikely the prolactin is interfering with conception. Raised prolactin causes you not to ovulate and that's how it interferes with fertility.

In know GPs usually like your prolactin to be below 400 but some women and men can have it in the tens of thousands. If you have high prolactin then there is a drug called bromocriptine that acts as an antagonist to prolactin - I'm not sure this is safe for TTC though.

Hi...thanks for response. My levels were measured anywhere between 450-800 when I was investigated before. The consultant said at the time it probably wouldn't interfere with ttc but I'm not convinced. Google throws up lots of studies linking raised prolactin and infertility.

Ah well, GP is testing hormones again so will see what comes out of that.

Well your levels can fluctuate from month to month. 800 is higher than normal - I'd ask for a full blood count so you can rule anything else out as thyroid and kidneys can cause high prolactin levels. You also need to check if any meds could cause a reaction - eg domperidone given for motion sickness can have the side effect of raising prolactin.

I'd also ask for a day 21 blood test to look at your progesterone to see if you are ovulating - if you are ovulating regularly then it is unlikely to be the prolactin causing problems with TTC.

I had a hormone imbalance after my first child which meant a 16 month wait for number 2 (not long compared to some women on this board). So good luck and I hope it all works out for you.

Thank you. Yes I am getting day 21 test at same time. Really not sure what that will come back with as GP insisted on doing it 7 days before start of next period even though I told him I OV late in cycle, and have a short luteal phase (so 7 days before next period is pretty much when I ov)

I'm not taking any other medication at the moment but I can ask about thyroid etc....thanks. I think I am just hoping for a simple answer to my reduced fertility, and it seemed an easy answer just to pop some bromocriptine and everything be ok again. We'll see.

Hello. I was TTC for a year (age 30-31), went to the doc (not UK), was referred to an infertility clinic, was prescribed Clomid, TTC one more month, went back to the clinic, doc doubled Clomid and added bromocriptine (Parlodel), became pregnant with twins! Had twins, bled for ages and ages, then had no period for months. Back to clinic, had MMR, found a small tumour on my pituatary gland. Went on bromocriptine for years, got pregnant three years later, had baby. Gave up bromocriptine. DTD for years without ever getting pregnant. Went back on Parlodel, gor pregnant again, very sad MC. Went back to clinic, found prolactin levels over 1,000- back on bromocriptine. The consultant said "You will never get pregnant with that level"

Not me but DH..TTC without any joy and tests revealed, low sperm count, high prolactin (about 3000!) and MRI showed a tumour. He took cabergoline which brought all levels back to normal and I got pregnant 8 months after starting treatment.

I would push to get treatment even if they are similar to last time if I were you...good luck :)

Thanks for replies. I won't be surprised at all if levels come back high. IIRC, I had a short course of dostinex last time and I remember thinking, 'yep this feels much more like a normal cycle' after taking it. I am not sure why but was only given it for a few weeks with no follow up... I am sure my prolactin has crept up again though (perhaps triggered by a chemical pregnancy I had a few months back?)

In a weird kind of way, I hope I do have high prolactin as it seems fairly straight forward to treat, particulalry if levels are high but not enough to indicate a tumour. Very frustrating as I know there is something going wrong with my cycles and whilst that is the case, I feel like I am not even in with a chance :(

The gynae consultant said to us it's actually one of the best fertility issues to have because its treatable and reversible so I understand why you feel that way. DH is like a different man now he's been treated.

Dostinex is only taken for short periods of time.My consultant said that it is not recommended for those TTC as there is a "three month washing out phase" after taking it.