Prolactinoma Symptoms

Men and women often experience different signs and symptoms of a prolactinoma. For example, a woman may experience changes in menstruation, vaginal dryness, and infertility. In men, a gradual decrease in sexual function is often the first symptom; however, many men with the tumor delay seeing a doctor until they experience more severe symptoms, such as headaches or vision problems.

An Overview of Prolactinoma Symptoms

Prolactinoma symptoms can vary among individuals. Also, these symptoms of a prolactinoma may vary depending on:
 
  • The size of the tumor
  • Where the prolactinoma is located within the pituitary gland
  • The person's gender.
     

Signs and Symptoms of Prolactinoma in Women

In women, symptoms caused by the high prolactin levels can include:
 
  • Infertility.
     
  • Changes in menstruation. In some women, periods may disappear altogether. In others, periods may become irregular or menstrual flow may change.
     
  • The production of breast milk in women who are not pregnant or nursing.
     
  • Loss of libido (interest in sex).
     
  • Vaginal dryness.
     
  • Painful intercourse (because of vaginal dryness).
     

Prolactinoma Symptoms in Men

In men, the most common prolactinoma symptom is impotence.
 
Because men have no reliable indicator, such as menstruation, to signal a problem, many men delay going to the doctor until they have more severe symptoms.
 
These symptoms of a prolactinoma can include:
 
  • Headaches
  • Eye problems caused by the enlarged pituitary pressing against nearby eye nerves
  • Loss of sexual function
  • Decreased libido.
     
Most of the time, this loss of sexual function or loss of libido is gradual. Only after treatment do some men realize they had a problem with sexual function.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
 
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