Hyperprolactinemia (HI-per-pro-lak-tin-E-me-ah) is an endocrine system disorder that causes the body to produce higher-than-normal levels of prolactin.
Prolactin is the hormone that stimulates breast milk production during pregnancy and induces lactation after giving birth. In the absence of pregnancy, high levels of prolactin may lead to infertility and decreased libido in both women and men. There are, however, gender-specific symptoms…
Symptoms of Hyperprolactinemia
For Women:
- irregular nipple discharge
- breast milk production in the absence of pregnancy (Galactorrhea)
- irregular menstrual cycles including amenorrhea (absent period) and luteal phase defect
- disrupted ovulation
- painful intercourse due to vaginal dryness
- increased risk of miscarriage
For Men:
- erectile dysfunction (impotence)
- Gynecomastia or male breast enlargement
- headaches or problems with vision resulting from a pituitary tumor affecting the optic nerve
- decreased muscle mass
- lack of body hair
Causes of Hyperprolactinemia
According to ReproductiveFacts.org from the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, Hyperprolactinemia is most commonly caused by a benign or noncancerous prolactin-secreting pituitary tumor (prolactinoma), or diseases that affect the pituitary gland. Other potential causes are:
- hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- injuries or trauma to the thoracic or chest wall which includes the rib cage, diaphragm and upper abdomen (surgical scars and tumors) or health conditions that have affected this area of the body (Herpes zoster also known as shingles)
- chronic liver or kidney disease
- blood pressure and pain medications (specifically the use of opiates for pain), SSRI antidepressants, antipsychotics, medications for ulcers and gastrointestinal reflux, and prescription estrogen for menopause
In some cases, no known cause of hyperprolactinemia can be determined.
Medical Treatment Options
Common medical solutions for hyperprolactinemia are radiation or surgical removal of an existing pituitary tumor, or the prescription medications Bromocriptine and Cabergoline. While we do not suggest taking herbs with prescription medications, natural support can be offered to the endocrine system, pituitary gland, and thyroid gland if medications are not being taken. It is important to determine, with the help of your healthcare provider, the underlying cause of hyperprolactinemia before creating a natural fertility program.
Natural Treatment Options
1. Nourish the Endocrine System & Pituitary Gland
The pituitary gland is one of the many glands of the endocrine system – the body’s message center which coordinates the delivery and communication of hormones throughout the body.
The pituitary gland is the “master gland” responsible for regulating the thyroid, adrenal, and reproductive glands. These glands make hormones that control growth and development of the body, metabolism, stress response, and the reproductive cycle.
The pituitary gland also produces the key female and male reproductive hormones luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), as well as estrogen and progesterone for females and testosterone for males. It is the anterior pituitary gland that secretes prolactin.
Adaptogen Herbs for Endocrine System Support
There are a variety of herbs classified as adaptogens that are known to nourish the endocrine system:
- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
- Schizandra (Schisandra chinensis)
- Fo-Ti (Polygonum multiflorum)
- Licorice (Glycyrrhiza spp.)
- American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)
- Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
- Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)
The adaptogen Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is known to not only nourish the endocrine system, but also to boost the function of an underactive thyroid and to support a healthy stress response within the body, as well as support hormone balance for men and women, energy levels and libido.
2. Vitex – Chaste Tree Berry
Vitex also known as Chaste Berry (Vitex agnus-castus), the #1 female fertility herb, has been clinically studied to determine its ability to influence prolactin levels and results show it has the ability to reduce elevated prolactin levels.
A German study in the journal Phytomedicine of 34 females with hyperprolactinemia showed a marked decrease in elevated prolactin levels in 80% of the participants. These women took 30 to 40mg of Chaste Tree berry per day for one month, which resulted in decreased prolactin levels, as well as a reduction in symptoms of various menstrual disorders.
Vitex is also known to encourage hormone balance and menstrual cycle regulation. Vitex encourages a normal luteal phase by supporting the body’s natural progesterone levels, and promotes regular ovulation.
3. Support Thyroid Health
Hypothyroidism results in increased levels of thyroid-releasing hormone in the body, which may in turn increase secretion of prolactin and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This increase in secretion of prolactin may cause hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea.
What to do to support healthy thyroid function…
- Eat a diet rich in food sources of iodine.
- Supplement with select key nutrients – B vitamins, vitamins C, E & A and select minerals like zinc, copper and selenium, and the herbs Ashwagandha, Rhodiola and Maca.
To purchase a supplement that supports thyroid health with these key nutrients click here…
4. Manage Stress
Stress boosts levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, which inhibits the body’s main sex hormone GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) and subsequently suppresses ovulation, sexual activity, hormone balance and even sperm count. GnRH, produced in the hypothalamus, signals the pituitary gland to release LH and FSH, which then signals the ovaries to release estrogen and progesterone. GnRH is also the hormone responsible for prolactin secretion. When the release of GnRH is inhibited, testosterone, estrogens, and the libido can be suppressed resulting in decreased fertility.
The key – Reduce Stress! Find a practice that can help you let go of stress and most importantly can help you react to stressors differently – in the words of Natural Fertility Info.com Founder Hethir Rodriguez, “… because sisters, stress in the world is not going to disappear, but we do have control over how our bodies react to it.”
Will hyperprolactinemia inhibit pregnancy?
For some, possibly, for others, no. There is no one answer for every case of hyperprolactinemia. Each case presents itself differently. The cause of elevated prolactin levels and the degree to which they are elevated will play a role in whether pregnancy can occur or not. High levels of prolactin in pregnancy have not been found to influence a woman’s ability to carry a baby if pregnancy occurs.
Pinpointing the cause of hyperprolactinemia is key in determining the best treatment options for your needs.
- Barton-Schuster, D. (n.d.). What Your Breast Health Says About Your Fertility. Retrieved from: http://natural-fertility-info.com/breast-health.html
- Chapman, I. M., MBBS, PhD. (n.d.). Galactorrhea – Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders. Retrieved from: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/endocrine-and-metabolic-disorders/pituitary-disorders/galactorrhea
- Hyperprolactinemia. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/centers_clinics/pituitary_center/conditions/hyperprolactinemia.html
- Hyperprolactinemia (high prolactin levels). (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.reproductivefacts.org/news-and-publications/patient-fact-sheets-and-booklets/documents/fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/hyperprolactinemia-high-prolactin-levels/
- Klibanski, A., & Schlechte, J. (Eds.). (2010, January 1). Fact Sheet. Retrieved from: http://www.hormone.org/questions-and-answers/2010/hyperprolactinemia
- Romm, A. (2010). Fertility Challenges. In Botanical medicine for women’s health (pp. 339-340). St. Louis, Missouri: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.
- Thomer, M., & Melmed, S. (Eds.). (2012, April 6). National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service (NEMDIS). Retrieved from: http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/prolact/prolact.aspx
- Wuttke, W., Jarry, H., Christoffel, V., Spengler, B., & Seidlová-Wuttke, D. (2003, January 1). Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) – Pharmacology and clinical indications. Retrieved from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0944711304702330
Elizabeth Willett is the Senior Herbalist and Lead Educator at NaturalFertilityInfo.com. She holds a BS in Mass Communications (2000) from Minnesota State University, and a Master of Arts degree (MA, 2010) in Holistic Health Studies with a specialization is herbalism from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN. Liz has written over 200 articles on women’s fertility and brings a vast wealth of knowledge and expertise in holistic health and healing to Natural Fertility Info.com
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Hello, I am a 34 year old man with high prolactin due to taking an antipsychotic medication. Its resulting in erectile dysfunction and my doctor put me on vit E and Vit B 6 to reduce the prolactin. Will this be sufficient to reduce the prolactin? Anything else I could try? Finally, how low does the prolactin have to be before sexual side effects leave? thanks
Dear Christian,
It will be helpful to know if it is the medication or elevated prolactin (or both) affecting erectile function. I have no reason to trust your doctor’s expertise, yet can not know if the vitamins are all your body will need to return to balance and the side effects will leave. If they happen to even in part due to the medication, they may not leave.
Can I fall pregnant if my prolactin is 78ml and my fertility is 95%
Dear Stella,
It is generally thought that a normal range of prolactin (as measured by a blood test) for women who are not pregnant is anywhere from 2 to 29 ng/mL. It would be a good idea to talk to your doctor about your test results and why he/she thinks they are what they are. This will help guide any course of care, whether natural or medical.
I can not know if you will or will struggle to fall pregnant, but I do know healthy prolactin levels can be naturally supported as we share in this very guide.
My best!
One question, if you can answer me. I have increased prolactin 35.73; 37.68 (3.9-29 for women). I did magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pituitary gland and showed it was a slight increase.
“The pituitary gland swollen overgrown suprasellarly.
After applying the contrast, a zone is sent to the right, hypointensive which is defined by the remaining parenchymal dimensions about 5 mm in addition to the microaddition.
Infihibuloma is centrally positioned.
Optical chiasm is free. ”
Can natural drugs reduce the pituitary gland and normalize prolactin?
Dear Daniela,
It will be helpful to talk to your doctor about the cause of the pituitary swelling as you plan a course of treatment. Natural therapies can support the health of the pituitary gland as you have read here. If you choose to or need to take prescription medications, seek support from your doctor or an herbalist near you in also taking herbs.
Hello, I have a question: how to reduce high level of prolactin and how it affects the ability of getting pregnant, also a little high dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), all doctors prescribe dexamethasone. Thanks a lot.
Dear Maryana,
I hope that a Natural Treatment Option shared in this guide resonated with you!
If you are still unsure of where to begin, or how to proceed, please consider working one on one with our fertility herbalist who can lay out an entire natural fertility program for you based on your specific fertility health needs. This is offered through a Fertility Consultation. Learn more and book a Fertility Consultation here…
Hello
I’m struggling to conceive a second child. My prolactin levels came back as ‘normal’ but at the very top of the normal range. I suffer from high stress and continue to have some breast discharge, even thouggh I stopped breastfeeding in August, and I also have quite a lot of pelvic pain and inflammation in the second half of my menstrual cycle. I would like to try Vitex agnus castus to help regulate my hormones, but having purchased the tincture there was a warning on the bottle stating it should NOT be used if pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Could you please advise? I’m too worried about using it now!
Best wishes
Jo
Dear Joanna,
As you might imagine these warning make me a bit nuts. I am glad you asked and were honest though!
First, I think our guide Vitex… Fertility Super Herb? will ease your worries. Vitex is an herb that can be taken in preparation for conception, while trying to conceive and into pregnancy with the support of your herbalist, midwife or healthcare provider.
So, the warning… it’s a safety precaution for the manufacturer because they are not your primary healthcare provider, herbalist or midwife. There is a risk for nutritional supplement companies and by providing a warning label to avoid use of their products when pregnancy may occur insures they will not liable for any issues should they arise. Through our research we have found no reason to avoid using Vitex while trying to conceive. We feel it is fine to continue Vitex while trying for a baby, but if you feel strongly about using Vitex in pregnancy, we suggest you consult with an herbalist or midwife for guidance and supervision.
If you still feel uncomfortable about it’s use while trying to conceive, it would be best to use it in preparation for conception and wean off of it prior to beginning to trying to conceive.
I hope this is all helpful!
I have had Hashimoto’s disease (hypothyroidism) for 11 years. Before being diagnosed I felt like death! I started out on Levoxyl 50 mcg. And eventually needed, over the course of time, up to 250 mcg. It made me felt better, however, my symptoms did not go away, joint pains, fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, rough and dry skin, constipation, depression etc. After much research I started on Hypothyroidism herbal formula i ordered from NewLife Herbal Clinic, i followed the treatment procedures faithfully for 8 weeks. It made a huge difference! It eliminated all my symptoms including my terrible joint pains. Go grain free of hypothyroidism!
I was recently reported to have a high prolactin level, they are sending me to have an MRI done to check for pituitary tumor. I was wondering, would Vitex still help lower prolactin levels if there is a presence of a tumor? In a matter of a few weeks, I have started eating healthier and have also been taking maca root for about 2 months now and also curcamin for about a week, will this also eventually help out with the prolactin levels?
Dear Paula,
It’s great that you’ve begun to make changes! I can not know if Vitex will help to lower prolactin in the presence of a pituitary tumor. It would be worth learning as much as you can about, or perhaps finding a natural health practitioner near you who can monitor you while using it, should you decide to try.
Hi i search your web on google and me from Pakistan 1 year ago i getting married but i have prolactin level in my report my prolactin level is 51 i take aelopathic medecines but no any result come can u help me for control prolactin level. tell me which one herbel or homoeo medicine best for me for control the prolactin level
thanks wait for your answer
Dear Beenish,
We explain natural therapies to consider in this very guide. I can not tell you which one is best for you as I know so very little about you. If you are still unsure of where to begin after reviewing this guide, or how to proceed, please consider working one on one with our fertility herbalist who can lay out an entire natural fertility program for you based on your specific fertility health needs. This is offered through a Fertility Consultation.
Hello,
I have high prolactine level, due to which I’m unable to get pregancy. Kindly tell me how to reduce the prolactine level naturally or any home remedies. It would really help me.
Thanks.
Dear Padmaja,
This very guide was written to help you understand why some women have elevated prolactin levels and education you about natural therapies know to help the body return to balance. Each step under the Natural Treatment Options heading is important to read through.
If you are still unsure of where to begin, or how to proceed, please consider working one on one with our fertility herbalist who can lay out an entire natural fertility program for you based on your specific fertility health needs. This is offered through a Fertility Consultation.
My wife also has high prolactin level and a bit of PCOS due to which she is not conceiving. Doctor gave Dostinex to her for hormonal balance. I hope it will give results. she has had a miscarriage about 10 months ago. Maybe her body mechanism is not supporting implantation due to high prolactin. In Ramadan this year, her period delayed for about 15 days, we thought it was pregnancy but when checked on strip, the result was negative. Anyways, doctor has given her clomid on which she got pregnant 10 months ago, I hope this time she’ll get pregnant and will deliver with safe and sound baby after 9 months.
Hello,
Thank you for all your amazing information! My prolactin level came back at 38.7. I was taking Red clover tea, a Dong Quai tincture, Stinging nettle tea and Raspberry leaf tea to help regulate my cycle and help me ovulate and read an article that stated that all those herbs raise your Prolactin levels. Is that true or can I continue to take them to help regulate?
I appreciate your response.
Dear Maria,
Was your prolactin elevated before starting these herbs? How much are you consuming and for how long have you been? Do you have high levels of stress, or are you deficient in zinc, magnesium, or vitamin B-6? I ask as all of these things can cause elevated prolactin levels.
It has not been my experience that Red Clover, Dong Quai, Stinging Nettle and Red Raspberry cause prolactin levels to rise, but Red Clover, Stinging Nettle and Red Raspberry do appear on many list of glactagogues, so perhaps the combination of the three is more than the body needs. I can’t say for sure as I know so little about you.
I just finished the Fertility Consultation / Fertility Cleanse and went in for my annual physical. My prolactin level came back at 31.4 which is considered high. I was diagnosed with infertility a while ago and have since improved my diet and been taking supplements since January. I will make a follow up with my doctor but, wanted to know what route should I go through naturally as well.
Dear Dee,
The program created for you by your fertility herbalist could still be followed. I am not certain if Vitex was included as a single herb extract or in an herbal combination product, but consider learning about it as well. The tips in this very guide could be considered as well.
Hi Elizabeth,
I am still following my program. Vitex was not included in the program as this issue is new. I am seeing an Endocrinologist next week. I will invest in taking the Vitex. Is there a herbal combination on this website that I can take which includes all of the herbs suggested in this article? I will also research. Thanks.
Dear Dee,
Wonderful that you are following up with an RE!
Not all of the adaptogen herbs I share about in this guide are necessary. It is best to learn about each one in order to choose which one might best fit your needs. You could consider learning about FertiliCare Phase 1 & 2, a biphasic monthly formula as well.
Best wishes!