Prolactin and Pregnancy

Prolactinomas commonly cause reproductive disorders, and treatment usually restores ovulation and fertility. The dopamine agonists are the preferred mode of treatment, with cabergoline generally being preferred to bromocriptine because of its higher therapeutic ratio and better side effect profile. Experience with both drugs shows no increase in spontaneous abortions, preterm deliveries, multiple births, or congenital malformations, compared to what is expected in the normal population, but the experience with bromocriptine is approximately sevenfold greater than with cabergoline. Clinically significant tumor growth may occur in 2.4% of those with microadenomas, 16.4% in those with macroadenomas without prior ablative treatment, and 4.7% of those with macroadenomas with prior ablative treatment. Patients with macroadenomas should have visual fields assessed periodically during gestation. Should symptomatic tumor growth occur, reinstitution of the dopamine agonist is usually successful in shrinking the tumor, but delivery if the pregnancy is sufficiently advanced is also an option, and transsphenoidal debulking is rarely necessary.