Prolactin Does NOT Cause Gyno

[Metalject]

This should stir the pot a little bit since most people here tend to believe gynecomastia is often caused by prolactin. In fact, it seems on many message boards, for some reason, people want to desperately believe this. I'm not sure why but that it seems to be the flavor of the month.

To the point...

A conversation with William L. he states: "Prolactin is not commonly an issue with AAS users. Sometimes, perhaps with estrogen excess.. But progesterone and estrogen (or more correctly, an imbalance between progestational or estrogenic stimulation and androgenic activity) are the primary causes of gynecomastia. I think people started confusing prolactin and progesterone; and they just kept getting mixed up."

Love him or hate him, he's not an idiot when it comes to hormones...far from it.

In any case, when using progestin based steroids, I still believe worrying about prolactin induced gyno is pointless. There are far more effective means of combating it than Cabergoline. I do think Cabergoline can be useful, but not for this purpose.

[Razor]

Here is an interesting read
There is much confusion, conjecture and bro’lore surrounding prolactin and progesterone and how to control them to avoid gynecomastia, loss of libido and shutdown. A lot of confusion surrounds the misconception that these two hormones are one in the same. They are, in fact, two totally different hormones, with two totally different mechanisms of action and totally different effect profiles in the body.
Prolactin is a peptide hormone of 199 amino acids that is similar in structure to growth hormone. Prolactin is produced in the anterior pituitary in cells called lactotropes. Prolactin is secreted in an episodic fashion throughout the day. Its secretion is inhibited by dopamine and stimulated by estrogen, stress, TRH, and other factors such as suckling and nipple manipulation. Prolactin acts through prolactin receptors present on the surface of cells. In the human, these receptors are stimulated by GH and prolactin with equal potency. Prolactin initiates and maintains lactation in the estrogen primed breast. Prolactin is not a growth factor in breast tissue which is why it is necessary for breast tissue to be primed by the growth promoting action of estrogen in order for prolactin to exert its effects. Even so, lactation is prevented in the presence of high levels of estrogen and progesterone, such as those that exist in pregnancy, and lactation only proceeds with a drop in estrogen/progesterone levels post delivery. Prolactin inhibits gonadotropin secretion and therefore suppresses the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis and the production of testosterone.
Progesterone is a steroid hormone that binds to intracellular progesterone receptors that act in the nucleus of cells. Progesterone is produced in males by the adrenal glands and males have the same plasma level of progesterone as women d o during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. There are actually two progesterone receptors. A functional receptor and a nonfunctional receptor that acts to suppress the activity of the functional receptor. Progesterone antagonizes the effect of estrogen by reducing estrogen receptor levels. This is exemplified by the use of progestins to fight estrogen responsive breast cancer. Progesterone has a potent suppressive effect on gonadotropin secretion and has been used as a contraceptive agent in men.
There is no evidence that controlling prolactin will prevent or treat gynecomastia. Many of the issues that are being attributed to prolactin can be explained through other mechanisms. While reducing prolactin may help with reduced libido and shutdown due to AAS, the potential risks involved with using dopaminergics to reduce prolactin levels probably outweighs the benefits. If estrogen is controlled during a cycle, then prolactin is unlikely to be elevated and unlikely to cause a problem.
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[Metalject]

I've read this and it makes sense. Still, people tend to want to think prolactin is often the primary issue.

[Atomini]

No, it doesn't cause gyno. Gyno is such a complex issue and the mechanism behind which it forms has so many different pathways. The causation is very complex, and its precise specifics are largely unknown, and a number of agents including estrogens, progestins, GH, IGF -1, and prolactin may be involved. However, most authorities believe that a decreased (T+DHT)/E ratio is central to the development of gyno, and that blocking the effects of estrogen, or increasing T + DHT levels, is central to amending the problem. Prolactin is not a central issue, but it is one of the contributing factors should other necessary functions be set in place.

Either way, I would rather NOT have increased prolactin levels in my body for reasons that do not have to do with gyno. Gyno is not my main issue with prolactin. If you are a male, you should not have heightened prolactin levels in your body.

[Atomini]

Oh and Bill is right, it is very easy for people to become confused between prolactin and progesterone. The names even sound almost the same.

[Lemonada8]

I disagree, with the title statement.
Prolactin can cause gyno in conjunction with estrogen, and plays a part in the breast growth. yes, its not the primary cause of growth ( estrogen is) but can cause lactation to occur in a man. It will only increase the gyno that has been initiated by estrogen, which causes that nasty effect of lactation.

Also, prolactin is the long feedback mechanism of test... so with very high test levels, the hypothalamus can stimulate prolactin release. this is why it is more commonly seen with Tren usage ( due to the binding strength of tren compared to test).

But the articles shown were mainly about controlling estrogen is key to control the prolactin issues. and that there really isnt a direct way to control prolacitn ( other than D2 agonists.. which are some pretty nasty stuff in a otherwise normal person... )

[Leisure Suite Larry]

There are far more effective means of combating it than Cabergoline. I do think Cabergoline can be useful, but not for this purpose.

Things like Bromo or Prami?

If estrogen is controlled during a cycle, then prolactin is unlikely to be elevated and unlikely to cause a problem.

Yeah i was told ages ago that running letro on cycle not only keeps estrogen down but also keeps prolactin down..

[ScotchGuard02]

Progesterone causes gyno and prolactin causes anorgasmia. Shoot me already. LOL, keep your eyes peeled they're both reversible.