Lisa Fasone’s Journey Through Hormonal Health Challenges and Joyful Recovery

In 2021, Lisa Fasone became pregnant, fulfilling her dream of starting a family. Her daughter arrived in February 2022, and life as a mother began. Yet, Fasone faced enduring postpartum symptoms like night sweats and headaches. Initially, she thought these were linked to breastfeeding and hormonal shifts. Despite wanting a second child, Fasone’s efforts to conceive were unsuccessful. By her daughter’s second birthday, she was alarmed by her ongoing symptoms.

Fasone recalled, “It’s been a year since I stopped nursing, and I still feel absolutely awful. Something is wrong, and I kept ignoring it. But after a year, I put my foot down.” She consulted her OB-GYN, who discovered her prolactin levels were elevated. This hormone, produced by the pituitary gland, affects fertility and milk production. Fasone’s levels hadn’t normalized since her pregnancy.

Her medical team found a small benign tumor, called a prolactinoma, on her pituitary gland. This was causing elevated hormone production. Surgical intervention for these tumors is rare, according to Dr. Stephen McGill, a neurosurgeon at Northwestern University involved in Fasone’s case. Typically, medication helps the tumor diminish on its own.

Fasone began medication, which led to severe dizziness. Moreover, the medication was unsafe during pregnancy, complicating her plans for another child. Watching her daughter play alone, Fasone feared infertility. She shared, “Most people know someone with an infertility journey, but you never think it would be you, especially after easily conceiving your first child. I had to accept the possibility of having just one child.”

After a year on medication, a follow-up scan revealed the tumor was still growing. “The tumor was now the size of a pea,” says McGill. Surgery became a viable option due to the growth, side effects, and fertility challenges. Surgery posed risks to the pituitary gland, including potential fertility issues, but offered hope. “I think at this point I didn’t really have a choice. I wasn’t able to live the life I had imagined,” Fasone stated.

In April 2025, she underwent the minimally invasive procedure through the nose. Positive news followed—her prolactin levels returned to normal after surgery. A month later, Fasone had her first period in years. However, her prolactin levels rose again, causing distress.

Tests revealed a welcome surprise: Fasone was pregnant with her much-desired second child. “I was shocked and overwhelmed by the journey,” Fasone confessed. Her family grew with the birth of her second daughter in February 2026. The pregnancy proceeded smoothly, and Fasone returned to work around May, freshly holding a doctorate in medical science.

McGill and Fasone’s endocrinologist continue to monitor her health, ensuring her hormone levels stay balanced. Future MRIs will check for any tumor regrowth. Fasone expressed gratitude, “When I had my baby in February, I recalled scheduling brain surgery a year ago. Returning to work from maternity leave made me think of the tough year behind me. The contrast is incredible.”