Pituitary Disorders Lifestyle and Prevention

Always take your medications or follow your course of hormone therapy as directed.  If you seem to be experiencing previous symptoms again or a different set of symptoms, call your physician. You may need further treatment or your dose of medication may need to be adjusted. Remember that sometimes symptoms take a while to disappear. Some symptoms may never go away. Ask your doctor if you have questions or frustrations about your progress after treatment.

You will also need to keep up with your regular physician visits and monitoring of your condition. Keeping the proper balance of hormones in your body is important for normal functioning. Most people who have had pituitary gland tumors treated go on to live normal lives, as long as they follow their doctor's advice.

Diseases of the pituitary gland may have psychological aspects. These may include symptoms of depression, moodiness, nervousness, and reduced sex drive. Many of these symptoms will improve once you receive treatment for your pituitary condition. It is important that you communicate with your doctor about any symptoms you may be experiencing. You may also seek additional professional help and the support of a patient group or counselor to help you cope with these symptoms.

There is little a person can do to prevent pituitary gland tumors from forming except in the case of severe injury or trauma to the head. Anything you can do to protect your head and the pituitary gland will help to preserve your hormonal system and potentially save your life.

Editor:

Anne Klibanski, MD
Chief, Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and
Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Boston, MA

Last Review: January 2008