Prolactinoma Symptoms

Men and women often experience different prolactinoma symptoms. For example, symptoms of a prolactinoma in women may include changes in menstruation, vaginal dryness, and the production of breast milk in women who are not pregnant or nursing. In men, a gradual decrease in sexual function is often the first prolactinoma symptom; however, many men with the tumor delay seeing a doctor until they experience more severe symptoms such as headaches or vision problems.

Prolactinoma Information

Prolactinoma Symptoms: An Overview

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
Gender.

Prolactinoma Symptoms in Women

In women, prolactinoma 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 prolactinoma symptoms.

These prolactinoma symptoms 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.

(Prolactinoma Symptoms Continued: Page 2)