What is prolactin?

Prolactin, also known as luteotropic hormone or luteotropin, is a protein found in both females and males.

Prolactin is mostly produced in the pituitary gland—a small hormone-secreting gland at the base of the brain. Prolactin plays a vital role in many of the body’s functions including ovulation, reproduction, immunity, and blood cell formation, but is primarily known for its role in stimulating lactation (breast milk production) and preventing women from getting pregnant when breastfeeding.

Basically, prolactin inhibits the production of LH and FSH, the hormones that stimulate the ovaries to mature & release an egg.

Prolactin inhibits two hormones necessary for ovulation: follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). When you have high levels of prolactin in your blood (a condition called hyperprolactinemia), you will not ovulate and this will result in infertility.

SYMPTOMS

• Unwanted production of breast milk.

• Oestrogen deficiency in women

• Testosterone deficiency in males.

• anovulation (when an egg is not released during a menstrual cycle

• amenorrhea (absence of periods)

• oligomenorrhea (irregular periods)

• infertility

• Loss of libido

• Vaginal dryness

• Hirsutism

What causes hyperprolactinemia?

• Benign (I.e. non cancerous) growth or tumour in the pituitary gland known as a prolactinoma

• Hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid

• High estrogen, either endogenous or from the pill

• Medications such as antidepressants or antipsychotic

• Low blood sugar levels

• Anorexia nervosa

• Stress

How to lower your prolactin levels?

• Say no to alcohol, especially beer, because barley stimulates prolactin.

• Address the root causes of underactive thyroid

• Reduce stress with yoga, meditation, and long slow walks.

• Consider adding vitamin B 6 rich foods in your diet like bananas, potatoes, chicken, spinach, and wild salmon.

• Avoid high-intensity workouts or activities that overwhelm you

• Get 7-8 hours of high quality sleep

• Seek homeopathic treatment to lower your prolactin level

And of course don’t forget about homeopathic remedies. They are safe, gentle and effective in treating the root causes of high prolactin levels.

Few useful homeopathic remedies for high prolactin levels

Sepia

Irregular and scanty periods

Only leucorrhea in place of periods

Bearing down sensation in the pelvis

Pulsatilla

The menses are late and scanty

The menstrual flow lasts for too short a time. The menstrual blood may be of a dark or blackish colour.

Cyclamen

There is breast swelling with discharge of milk from breasts usually after periods. Swelling in breasts feels like a hard, tensed sensation with pain.  Stitches may be felt in the breast.