What is the Prolactin Hormone and What Does It Do?
What is High Prolactin (Hyperprolactinemia)?
When is a Prolactin Test Needed and What Does It Measure?
Causes and Symptoms Of High Prolactin Levels
Effects of High Prolactin on Hormonal Health
Treatment Options for High Prolactin (Hyperprolactinemia)
Key Takeaways
- Hyperprolactinemia or high prolactin level is a condition in which the body starts lactating without child birth.
- It can be caused due to hypothyroidism, tumours in pituitary glands, or certain medications like antidepressants.
- If you are experiencing symptoms like tenderness in breasts, lactation, irregular periods, and low libido, you can get prolactin hormone level tested.
- We recommend consulting a doctor before you try any natural treatment methods. Doctors can prescribe medications, hormonal balance supplements, or other treatments.
In This Article
What is the Prolactin Hormone and What Does It Do?
The prolactin hormone is the main hormone responsible for milk production in women. Produced by the pituitary gland, a small gland located at the base of the brain, prolactin also plays several other roles in the body beyond lactation.
It helps regulate reproductive hormones, supports immune function, and may even influence mood and metabolism.
What is High Prolactin (Hyperprolactinemia)?
In simple words, Hyperprolactinemia is a condition in which your body produces too much prolactin hormone. Since the main job of prolactin is to produce milk, in cases of Hyperprolactinemia, women start producing milk without pregnancy or childbirth.
When is a Prolactin Test Needed and What Does It Measure?

As the name suggests, the prolactin test is a simple blood test that measures the amount of prolactin hormone in the bloodstream.
Normal prolactin levels in females: 5 - 25 ng/mL (can go upto 29 ng/mL)
When do you need a prolactin test?
Doctors may recommend this test if you have:
- Irregular or missed periods
- Unexplained milk discharge from the breasts
- Fertility issues
- Low libido
- Persistent headaches or vision changes
Causes and Symptoms Of High Prolactin Levels
This condition can be caused by hypothyroidism (not enough thyroid hormone), Prolactinoma (tumours in the pituitary gland), or certain medications like antidepressants.
Women can witness high prolactin levels for a short duration after intense exercise, chest injuries, or chest stimulation.
High prolactin symptoms include:
- Milk/discharge from breasts
- Low libido
- Irregular periods
- Breast tenderness
Some women also face vaginal dryness as a symptom of high prolactin levels.
Effects of High Prolactin on Hormonal Health and Fertility
High prolactin levels can affect your overall hormonal balance. Since prolactin interacts with reproductive hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, high prolactin levels can disrupt your menstrual cycle as well.
It causes irregular ovulation, which results in difficulty in getting pregnant. If you are facing infertility, you can try fertility supplements after ruling out the possibility of high prolactin levels.
Treatment Options for High Prolactin (Hyperprolactinemia)
If you are facing symptoms of high prolactin, do not try to self diagnose. Reach out to a medical practitioner to get the tests done and get proper treatment.
Doctors will determine the real underlying cause of Hyperprolactinemia, and then treat the root cause. Doctors may prescribe medications that reduce prolactin production, but the focus is to treat the cause.
In case of Pituitary tumours, medications are used to shrink the tumours (non-cancerous), to bring the prolactin level back to the normal range.
Supporting overall hormonal health with lifestyle changes and proper nutrition may help. Try to exercise regularly but avoid straining your body. Managing stress and getting adequate sleep is helpful or you can try melatonin gummies from Dame Health for a better sleep.
FAQs
What are the main causes of high prolactin levels?
Prolactinoma or tumours in the pituitary gland, low thyroid hormone, or chest injury can cause high prolactin levels.
Can high prolactin cause irregular periods?
Yes, prolactin messes with the female reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone, disrupting your menstrual cycle and causing irregular periods.
Is high prolactin linked to PCOS?
Yes, some studies have revealed that PCOS can cause high prolactin levels due to insulin resistance.
Can stress increase prolactin levels?
Yes, chronic stress can increase prolactin levels and cause symptoms like lactation and irregular periods.
Can prolactin levels return to normal?
If your high prolactin level is caused by exercise, stress, or chest injury, it may return to normal after sometime. But, if it is caused by tumours in the pituitary gland or hypothyroidism, you need proper medications to bring the prolactin levels back to normal.
In either case, it is best to consult your doctor.
Does high prolactin affect pregnancy?
High prolactin levels can make it difficult to get pregnant as it messes with your hormonal cycle. Some women may even experience infertility due to very high levels of prolactin.
How to reduce prolactin levels naturally?
You can manage your stress, get proper sleep, and take magnesium and zinc supplements to naturally manage high prolactin levels. Avoid coffee, alcohol, and excessive dairy products.
However, it is recommended to consult a doctor, as the underlying problem needs to be treated.
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