Symptoms and Effects of A Prolactinoma on the Body Vision loss Hypopituitarism Osteoporosis Pregnancy Complications (Mayo Clinic) Photo: UCLA Health

A Prolactinoma is more easily detected in Premenopausal women. Symptoms include: Irregular or lack of menstrual cycles Milk production by the breasts known as Galactorrhea Reduced sex drive Prolactinomas in men and Postmenopausal women is not as easily detected due to the fact that neither have menstrual cycles, so symptoms may go unnoticed for a long period of time. Symptoms in men include: Decreased testosterone levels, leading to low sex drive Rarely, enlargement of the breast tissue known as Gynecomastia Production of breast milk Prolactinomas in men are usually very large and may invade structures next to the normal pituitary gland (UCLA Health)

There is a also a reduction of sex hormones: Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) This can be caused by compression of the pituitary gland by the prolactinoma, but also due to inhibition of the release of these hormones when prolactin levels are elevated. In some cases, there can be loss of body and facial hair. In women, this can lead to infertility. More severe hypopituitarism can lead to hypothyroidism or abnormally low cortisol levels, causing: Appetite loss Weight loss or gain Fatigue Decreased mental function Dizziness Joint pain This can be life threatening Rarely, Pituitary Apoplexy may occur. (UCLA Health) Photo: UCLA Neurosurgery

Works Cited Mayo Clinic Staff. Disease and Conditions: Prolactinoma. Mayo Clinic. Web. 1 July University of California, Los Angeles. Prolactinomas: Expert Care in Southern California. UCLA Pituitary Tumor Program. Web. 1 July 2014.