Prolactin in bodybuilding

The use of androgen-anabolic steroids (AAS) requires athletes to constantly monitor hormonal levels during administration. Those who ignore the various requirements, as a result receive only side effects and no benefit from training. In other words, as a result of taking steroids, an athlete does not achieve the desired results, regardless of the intensity of sports. In addition, serious health problems are emerging. These problems are primarily associated with the balance of male and female hormones: male - testosterone and female - estradiol, progesterone and prolactin. If everyone has long been aware of the first of them, it is unlikely that the latter two, since there is not so much information about them, even on the Internet.

In this regard, it makes sense to talk about prolactin. This is a mammary gland hormone, an overdose of which can lead to serious negative consequences associated with intimate life.

Content

  • 1 Why a man needs prolactin "> 2 Reasons for increased prolactin levels
  • 3 Increased prolactin levels in the course of AAS
  • 4 How to deal with elevated prolactin levels

Why man prolactin?

A man does not need prolactin absolutely and this is understandable, since it is a purely female hormone that is responsible for the secretion of milk in the woman’s mammary glands. As for men, it is present in the body, but in a concentration that does not affect its sexual behavior. With an increase in the level of prolactin in the blood of a man, the real problems associated with the attraction of a man to a woman begin. Moreover, everything is purely individual: for someone it is necessary to increase the level of prolactin in the body by one and a half times for problems to start, and for someone, a very slight increase in it can affect the relationship of a man and a woman in terms of sex.

The fact is that with an increase in the norm of the content of prolactin in the blood of a man, his potency decreases and his libido weakens (attraction to a woman). It is encouraging that all these problems can be temporary, and with normalization of prolactin levels in the blood, all problems immediately disappear.

But here, right away, one should point out a psychological factor that can leave behind a very large wound that will heal for a long time and for a long time.

An increase in prolactin levels in the blood is associated with some factors that it makes sense to talk about.

Causes of Prolactin Levels

Men’s blood prolactin levels may rise for various reasons. The first reason is the use of drugs based on AAS, and the second reason is an increase as a result of congenital or acquired abnormalities in the process of life. Reasons that do not depend on taking AAS drugs are:

  • Diseases of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, in the form of tumors of “prolactinoma”.
  • Enhanced thyroid function - hypothyroidism.
  • Painful manifestations of the kidneys.
  • Painful manifestations of the liver.
  • Autoimmune changes - arthritis, lupus erythematosus, etc.
  • Lack or deficiency of vitamin B6.
  • Constant stress, with an increase in estradiol and progesterone.

In the case of an increase in prolactin levels in the blood, without the facts of taking AAS drugs, you should pay attention to this list and consult a doctor. As a result, it is necessary to conduct diagnostic studies of the pituitary gland, as well as determine the level of thyroid hormones. In addition, examine the work of the liver and kidneys, as well as analyze the presence of vitamin B6 in the blood. At the same time, one should not forget about the last line of this list and analyze your life for stress. In most cases, it is stressful conditions that lead to an imbalance of hormones in the human body. The effects of stress can be both psychological and physical. Most likely, as a result of great physical exertion and a lack of good nutrition, the body experiences severe fatigue and a breakdown, which is why these problems arise. In this case, you urgently need to reconsider the way of life and normalize your regime, getting rid of unnecessary, unnecessary loads that lead to fatigue. Fatigue of the whole organism leads to physical stress. As for psychological stress, it can occur against the backdrop of worsening relationships between a man and a woman, which can also occur as a result of increased levels of prolactin in the blood of a man. As you can see - everything is interconnected here.

Sometimes a thyroid disease, such as hypothyroidism, leads to an increase in the level of TSH (thyroid hormone), which indicates its increased secretion. This leads to an increase in the level of prolactin in the blood of a man.

Such a phenomenon as gynecomastia leads to an increase in the concentration of prolactin in the blood, although the opposite effect is also possible: with an increase in the level of prolactin, gynecomastia also manifests itself. If this phenomenon is very pronounced, then you should consult a doctor and have an operation. It is neither complicated nor expensive, but you can “kill two birds with one stone” at the same time. In addition to improving the hormonal background, the appearance will also noticeably improve.

Increased prolactin levels in the course of AAS

An increase in prolactin levels in the blood, without the practice of taking AAS drugs, is considered a very rare occurrence. If we talk about athletes, then this increase is associated with the improper use of androgen-anabolic steroids. Some athletes ignore the application doses that are prescribed in the instructions and increase the dose, believing that in this way it will be possible to force the receipt of results.

Here, progestins that have progestogen activity go to the first position. These are drugs such as nandrolone, trenbolone, oxymetholone, boldenone. In this case, it makes no sense to talk about the mechanisms of increasing prolactin concentration, but it makes sense to pay attention to some points that somehow affect this process.

The first point refers to the fact that before each course of administration, it is desirable to determine the balance of hormones in your body. If, as a result of the study, it was found that the level of prolactin is too high, then in no case should you take progestins.

When drugs of this group are taken, then hormone levels should be monitored regularly, regardless of the dosage of the drugs.

One or two weeks after the start of the course of administration, it is necessary to donate blood for analysis to determine the level of prolactin. If there is a tendency to increase, then you need to immediately start taking cabergoline. In the pharmacy, this drug is sold under the name "Bergolac" or "Dostinex."

This drug is taken once a week in one tablet (0.5 mg). This will help maintain a low level of prolactin in the blood throughout the course of taking the drug.

So, the conclusions are obvious.

How to deal with elevated prolactin levels

Firstly, it is necessary to determine the reasons for the increase in prolactin levels. If this is not a consequence of taking AAS steroids (they simply were not taken), then you need to see a doctor and determine your level of health. Particular attention should be paid to the condition of the liver, kidneys, thyroid gland, pituitary gland, etc., as well as to analyze your lifestyle and, if necessary, revise it.

With the manifestation of gynecomastia, which directly indicates an increase in prolactin levels, it is better to consult a doctor and get rid of this ailment surgically.

When taking AAS, when there is a tendency to increase the concentration of prolactin, you should immediately start taking cabergoline.

You should pay attention to another very important point - this is overweight, which indicates changes in the level of estradiol. A similar factor also affects the level of prolactin in the blood, increasing it.

And finally, try to avoid stressful situations and nervous overload.

Interesting Articles