The use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) requires the athletes to continuously monitor the hormonal background during the intake. Those who ignore different 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 the sport. In addition, there are serious health problems. These problems, in the first place, are connected with the balance of male and female hormones: male – testosterone and female – estradiol, progesterone and prolactin. If the first of them all have long been known, then the last two are unlikely, since information about them is not so much, even on Internet.
In this regard, it makes sense to talk about prolactin. It is a hormone of the breast, an overdose of which can lead to serious negative consequences associated with intimate life.
Why a man needs prolactin?
Prolactin is not needed absolutely for a man, and this is understandable, since it is a purely female hormone, which is responsible for the allocation of milk in the mammary glands of a woman. As for men, it is present in the body, but in a concentration that does not affect his sexual behavior. With the increase in the level of prolactin in the blood of men, the real problems begin, connected with the attraction of a man to a woman. Moreover, everything is purely individual: for someone it is necessary to raise the level of prolactin in the body one and a half times, so that problems begin, and for someone, a very slight increase in it can affect the attitude of men and women in terms of sex.
The fact is that with an increase in the norm of prolactin in the blood of a man, his potency decreases and the libido weakens (attraction to a woman). It is encouraging that all these problems can be temporary and with the normalization of the level of prolactin in the blood, all problems immediately disappear.
But here, immediately, it is necessary to point out the psychological factor that can leave behind a very large wound that will heal for a long timee.
An increase in the level of prolactin in the blood is associated with some factors, which it makes sense to talk.
Causes of increased prolactin levels
The level of prolactin in the blood of men can increase based on various causes. The first reason is the use of drugs based on AAS, and the second reason is the increase as a result of congenital or acquired anomalies in the process of vital activity. Causes that do not depend on taking AAS drugs are:
- Diseases of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, in the form of tumors “prolactinoma”.
- Strengthening the function of the thyroid gland is hypothyroidism.
- Painful manifestations of the kidneys.
- Painful manifestations of the liver.
- Autoimmune changes – arthritis, lupus erythematosus, etc.
- Absence or deficiency of vitamin B6.
- Constant stress, with increased levels of estradiol and progesterone.
In the case of increased prolactin levels in the blood, without the facts of taking AAS medications, 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, to examine the work of the liver and kidneys, as well as to analyze the presence of vitamin B6 in the blood. In this case, do not forget about the last line of this list and analyze your life for the presence of stress. In most cases, it is stressful conditions that lead to an imbalance of hormones in the human body. The consequences of stress can be both psychological and physical. Most likely, as a result of heavy physical exertion and lack of adequate nutrition, the body experiences severe fatigue and loss of strength, which is why these problems arise. In this case, you need to urgently review the way of life and normalize your regime, getting rid of unnecessary loads that lead to fatigue. Fatigue of the whole body leads to physical stress. As for psychological stress, it can arise against the background of deteriorating relationships between a man and a woman, which can also arise as a result of increasing levels of prolactin in the blood of a man. As you can see, everything is interconnected here.
Sometimes thyroid disease, such as hypothyroidism, leads to an increase in the level of TSH (thyroid hormone), indicating its increased secretion. This leads to an increase in the level of prolactin in the blood of a man.
This phenomenon, like gynecomastia, leads to an increase in the concentration of prolactin in the blood, although the opposite effect is possible: with an increase in the level of prolactin, gynecomastia also appears. If this phenomenon is strongly pronounced, then you should consult a doctor and do the operation. It is not complex and not expensive, but it is possible to “kill two birds with one stone”, simultaneously. In addition, that will improve the hormonal background, noticeably improve appearance.
Increase of prolactin level during AAS cycle
Increasing the level of prolactin in the blood, without the practice of taking AAS drugs, is considered very rare. If we talk about athletes, then this increase is associated with a wrong intake of androgenic anabolic steroids. Some athletes ignore the doses of application that are prescribed in the instructions and increase doses, believing that this will be the means to speed up the results.
Here, the first position is reached by progestins, which possess progestogenic activity. These are such drugs 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 influence this process.
The first point relates to the fact that before each course of admission it is desirable to determine the balance of hormones in your body. If, as a result of the research, it is found that the level of prolactin is overestimated, then in no case should you take progestins.
When drugs of this group are taken, hormone levels should be monitored regularly, regardless of the dosage of the drugs.
One or two weeks after the start of the course of treatment, it is necessary to donate blood for analysis to determine the level of prolactin. If there is a tendency to increase, then you should immediately start taking cabergoline. In the pharmacy this drug is sold under the name Cabaser, Cabgolin.
This drug is taken once a week for 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, conclusions are implied.
How to deal with an increased level of prolactin
First, it is necessary to determine the causes of increased prolactin levels. If this is not a consequence of taking AAS (they just were not taken), then you need to see a doctor and determine the level of your health. Particular attention should be paid to the liver, kidney, thyroid, pituitary, etc., as well as to analyze their way of life and, if necessary, revise it.
With the manifestation of gynecomastia, which directly indicates an increase in the level of prolactin, it is better to consult a doctor and get rid of this ailment surgically.
When taking AAS drugs, when there is a tendency to increase the concentration of prolactin, you should immediately start taking cabergoline.
One more important point to note is the excess weight, which indicates a change in the level of estradiol. This factor also affects the level of prolactin in the blood, increasing it.
And, finally, try to avoid stressful situations and nervous overload.
