October marks Pituitary Awareness Month, and this year we are shining a spotlight on prolactinoma!
Regardless of sex, prolactin is a hormone that is present in every body and plays a significant role in producing milk. A prolactinoma is a prolactin-producing tumour on the pituitary gland. This is the most common pituitary condition, and can have life changing impacts on fertility and wellbeing.
Throughout October, we will be increasing awareness about the impact of prolactin and prolactinoma, sharing up-to-date information and connect people living with high prolactin levels with experts and one another.
There’s lots of ways to get involved this October! We’ll be hosting online events so you and your support network can learn more about prolactin and prolactinoma. If you have a prolactinoma then you can join our support groups, and they’ll be one specifically for men too. We’re asking our community to share specific resources with their GP to help them support others with prolactinoma. They’ll also be lots of posts on social media for you to share. With your help we can shine a spotlight on prolactinoma.
We’ll be kicking off the month with a special online event on 12th September. We’ll tell you more about the month, and some ways that you can get involved. Get your tickets to this free event now!
About Prolactinoma
A prolactinoma is the name given to a prolactin-producing tumour on the pituitary gland. This is a benign tumour, and not a brain tumour or cancer. A prolactinoma causes raised prolactin. This hormone stimulates milk production after childbirth, but is also present in men.
Symptoms vary depending on a person’s sex and can include:
- Loss of periods
- Reduced interest in sex
- Vaginal dryness
- Infertility
- Excess breast milk production
- Difficulty getting an erection
- Headaches
- Visual problems
Once diagnosed through blood tests and scans, a prolactinoma can be treated usually through medication. Surgery can be a treatment method to remove the prolactinoma, although this is less common.
We’ll be sharing more about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatments of prolactinoma throughout October. Together, we can make a difference by increasing understanding and support for those affected by prolactin-related conditions within the pituitary community.