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Pituitary Tumor & Pregnancy

Pituitary tumors affect women more often than men, and during pregnancy, extra care should be taken for treating these tumors and their symptoms. Understanding symptoms and treatment options is the first step toward safely treating your pituitary tumor during pregnancy. In addition, the pituitary gland enlarges during pregnancy, so symptoms may persist or become worse.

  1. Identification

    • Prolactinoma---the most common type of pituitary tumor---is caused by too much prolactin in the blood or by pressure of the tumor on surrounding tissue. The hormone prolactin is the hormone responsible for producing breast milk in a pregnant and lactating women.

      Small, benign pituitary tumors are common among the general public, according to the National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Services. However, symptomatic prolactinomas are relatively uncommon, and they occur more often in women. Though causes are unknown, these tumors are generally not genetic.

    Effects

    • When the pituitary gland becomes too large, symptoms such as headaches and visual disturbances can occur. High levels of prolactin can affect fertility and menstruation. In addition, non-pregnant or postpartum women may produce breast milk. Women with pituitary tumors may experience loss of libido and vaginal dryness.

    Treatment During Pregnancy

    • The National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information services recommends discussing treatment options with your doctor before you become pregnant. She may request an MRI scan to assess the size of the tumor and an eye exam to measure visual fields.

      In a normal pregnancy, the pituitary gland enlarges and prolactin production increases, so women who suffer from prolactinoma may experience this growth even more so. Less than 3 percent of affected pregnant women with pituitary tumors will experience symptoms of tumor growth, such as headaches and blurred vision. In pregnant women with large prolactinomas---pituitary tumors---the risk of symptomatic tumor growth is about 30 percent.

    Medications

    • The medications bromocriptine and cabergoline are used treat pituitary tumors. In early pregnancy, both medications are still considered safe; however, safety throughout the pregnancy hasn't been established. Bromocriptine has a longer record of safety in early pregnancy, so when trying conceive, consider using bromocriptine instead of cabergoline.

    Considerations

    • Throughout your pregnancy, expect to see an endocrinologist every two months to asses tumor growth. Contact your endocrinologist if you develop symptoms of tumor growth, such as headaches, vision changes, nausea, vomiting, excessive thirst or urination or extreme lethargy. Medications may have to be reinstated and additional treatment may be required if symptoms develop and persist in pregnancy.

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