Living with Prolactin-producing pituitary gland adenoma
A tumor of the pituitary gland that raises the hormone prolactin and can affect periods, fertility, and sex drive.
Understanding Prolactin-producing pituitary gland adenoma
Prolactin normally helps breast development and milk production. A prolactinoma can affect men or women. GARD says most happen by chance in people with no family history, and a small number are linked to genetic conditions. GARD lists onset at a variety of ages.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD describes these features:
- Milk production when not pregnant or nursing (galactorrhea)
- No menstrual periods (amenorrhea)
- Lower sex drive
- Trouble getting pregnant or fathering a child (infertility)
- Erection problems
- Tiredness
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include cancer specialists, genetic specialists and hormone specialists.
- 3Consider genetic testing
Changes in AIP are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Raymond A. Wood Foundation, Resolve: The National Infertility Association and Pituitary Network Association may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Cancer specialists (oncologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists); Hormone specialists (endocrinologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Raymond A. Wood Foundation, Resolve: The National Infertility Association, Pituitary Network Association
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Raymond A. Wood Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
Most prolactinomas happen by chance. In a small number of cases they come from a genetic condition such as MEN1 or familial isolated pituitary adenoma, and GARD lists the AIP gene with autosomal dominant inheritance.
Also known as: familial prolactinoma; lactotrope adenoma; lactotroph adenoma; lactotroph cell adenoma; pituitary adenoma, prolactin-secreting; pituitary gland prolactinoma
Patient organizations
- Raymond A. Wood FoundationProlactin-producing pituitary gland adenoma · United States
- Resolve: The National Infertility AssociationInfertility · United States
- Pituitary Network AssociationPituitary deficiencies · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Prolactin-producing pituitary gland adenoma.
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