What does it feel like to have a prolactinoma?
There are two classes of prolactinoma: microprolactinomas, which are less than a half inch in diameter, and macroprolactinomas, which are larger, and also less common. Men are more likely to have the larger tumors. Some symptoms are associated with the excess prolactin and some are caused by the physical bulk of the tumor. The symptoms associated with excess prolactin are different in women than in men. The symptoms caused by the bulk of the tumor are common to both sexes, but are more likely to be associated with the larger prolactinomas (macroprolactinomas). Effects of excess prolactin in women Microprolactinomas are more common than macroprolactinomas in women. One of the earliest symptoms many women notice is loss of periods (amenorrhea). This is caused by the excess prolactin interfering with the pituitary#s production of the sex hormones FSH and LH, which control the menstrual cycle, and it may also be associated with loss of sex drive. Lack of FSH and LH may lead to infertility
