A prolactinoma is a benign tumor which is noncancerous in nature. It is a tumor of pituitary gland that produces an excess of hormone known as prolactin.
Pituitary is tiny, pea shaped gland which is situated at base of brain behind nose and below the optic nerves. Its main function is to produce various hormones which are responsible for thyroid, ovaries, testes and adrenal gland functioning. The main hormones are LH (luteinizing hormone), estrogen, progesterone, testosterone in males, TSH hormones, ACTH (adrenocorticotropin hormone) and growth hormone.
One of them is prolactin which stimulates mammary glands to produce milk for breastfeeding. Normally the level of prolactin rises at time of breast feeding. But in men and women who are not nursing, the raised level of prolactin in blood give indication of prolactinoma.
Prolactin mainly stimulates the mammary glands or tissues to enlarge during pregnancy. Its level normally falls if female doesn’t breastfeed. Every time the baby nurses, prolactin level rises and maintain the proper production of milk.
Intake of certain drugs: Drugs that block the effect of dopamine which suppresses the overproduction of prolactin. Antipsychotic drugs such as trifluoperazine and haloperidol ( Haldol); metoclopramide, used to treat gastro esophageal reflux and nausea, drugs to control high BP.
Other pituitary tumors: Other tumors arising near pituitary gland may block dopamine and further increase level of prolactin. This include acromegaly (condition of overproduction of growth hormone)
Condition of less thyroid hormone production results in increase in TRH which raises prolactin level.
Due to stimulation of nipple, level of prolactin rises.
Injury or accident can cause hyperprolactinemia.
The exact cause is unknown. The main cause is prolactin hormon that stimulates breast feeding and produce milk.
Overproduction of prolactin is due to:
In postmenopausal women symptoms are not present when tumor is small, but when it begins to grow in size, it may cause symptoms like:
Medicines which functions like dopamine helps in treating prolactinoma. Drugs like cabergoline,bromocriptine helps to decrease the prolactin production and may shrink tumor.
As per Ayurveda tumor is formed due to Vata and Kapha imbalance. Vata is responsible for irregularity in cell division and Kapha for their growth. Vata pushes Kapha out of balancing resulting in tumor formation. Kapha play effective role, it enters the affected dhatus. Accumulation of apana vayu aggravated in the rasa of purishavaha srota and overflows to rasa and rakta dhatus. Prana vayu and cvyana vayu affects or relocates to majja dhatu of majjavaha srotas resulting in tumor formation.
Kachnaar Guggul is an effective remedy prepared from various medicinally rich herbs for this pituitary problem. The Kachnaar guggul tablets are blend of different effective herbs- Kachnaar bark (Bauhinea variegate), Triphala (Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica, Emblica officinalis), Trikatu (Zingiber officinale, Solanum nigrum, Piper longum), Varun bark (Crataeva nurvala), Elaichi (Elettaria cardamom), Dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanica), Tejpatra (Cinnamomum zeylanica leaves) and Guggul (Commiphora mukul).
Dosage- Take 2 tablets,two times a day, after meals with plain water.
Curcumin capsules are single herb capsules made from a wonderful herb named Curcuma longa. The herb is frequently used for various health problems in Ayurvedic treatment.
Dosage- Take 1 capsule two times a day , with plain water, after meals.
Gotukola capsules are also used to relieve the symptoms of prolactinoma. These herbal capsules are prepared using the authentic and natural extract of the herb Gotukola (Centella asiatica).
Dosage- Take 2 capsules two times a day, with plain water, after meals.
The Pradrantak churna is prepared from the special combination of medicinal herbs. The herbs include Lodhra (Symplocus racemosa), Ashok (Saraca indica), Udumbur (Ficus glomerata) and Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna). All of them are mentioned in Ayurvedic literature.
Dosage- Take 1 tablespoonful two times a day after meals.
Chanderprabha vati is is made from a herbal combination of 37 ingredients These tablets are effective in treating the symptoms of this disease.
Dosage- Take 2 tablets, two times a day, after meals with plain water.
Dr. Vikram Chauhan is an expert Ayurveda consultant for various Ayurvedic institutes in Europe, India, and Asia. He is running an Ayurvedic healing center in Chandigarh, India and experienced doctor in Ayurvedic medicine. Websites- WWW.PLANETAYURVEDA.COM , WWW.ALWAYSAYURVEDA.COM, E-mail ID- herbalremedies123@yahoo.com (Put Attn: Dr. Vikram Chauhan in Subject line) Call : + 91-172-5214030 (For Appointments & Products)