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High Prolactin Levels: What It Means for Your Period and Fertility

know what prolactin does to the body, signs of increased levels, and how it affects periods. Learn when to do a retest.

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Last updated on 16th Jul, 2025

Prolactin

Introduction

Many women experience the frustration of irregular periods, and for some, the journey to understanding the cause leads to a hormone called prolactin. While often associated with breastfeeding, high prolactin levels, a condition known as hyperprolactinemia, can significantly impact a woman's menstrual cycle and ability to conceive. This comprehensive guide aims to shed light on what high prolactin means for your reproductive health, its connection to thyroid and pituitary function, and how diagnostic tests can empower you with crucial information.

What Prolactin Does in the Body

Prolactin is a hormone primarily produced by the pituitary gland, a small, pea-sized gland located at the base of your brain. Its most well-known role is to stimulate milk production (lactation) after childbirth. However, prolactin's influence extends far beyond this. In non-pregnant and non-breastfeeding individuals, prolactin plays a subtle yet important role in maintaining reproductive health. It is involved in regulating the menstrual cycle and influencing ovulation. 

Signs of Elevated Prolactin in Women

Recognising the signs of elevated prolactin is the first step towards seeking diagnosis and treatment. These symptoms can be varied and often mimic other hormonal imbalances, making a diagnostic test crucial for accurate identification.

Common signs and symptoms of high prolactin levels in women include:

  • Irregular or absent menstrual periods (oligomenorrhoea or amenorrhoea): This is one of the most common indicators. High prolactin can disrupt the normal hormonal signals that regulate your menstrual cycle, leading to infrequent periods or their complete cessation.
  • Galactorrhoea: This refers to the unexpected production of breast milk, unrelated to pregnancy or breastfeeding. It can range from a few drops to a more significant flow.
  • Difficulty conceiving (infertility): As high prolactin can interfere with ovulation, it directly impacts a woman's ability to become pregnant.
  • Reduced libido (sex drive): Hormonal imbalances, including elevated prolactin, can affect sexual desire.
  • Vaginal dryness: Lower oestrogen levels, often a consequence of high prolactin, can lead to vaginal dryness.
  • Headaches and visual disturbances: In some cases, hyperprolactinemia is caused by a benign tumour on the pituitary gland, known as a prolactinoma. As the tumour grows, it can press on nearby nerves, leading to headaches and problems with vision.
  • Acne and hirsutism (excessive hair growth): While less common, these symptoms can also be associated with hormonal imbalances.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, particularly irregular periods or difficulty conceiving, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional.

Get Your Reproductive Health Assessed

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How It Affects Periods, Ovulation and Conception

The intricate dance of hormones governs a woman's reproductive system. Prolactin, when elevated, can disrupt this delicate balance in several key ways, leading to issues with menstruation and fertility.

  • Disruption of the Menstrual Cycle: High prolactin levels can suppress the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that controls hormone release. GnRH, in turn, signals the pituitary gland to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH). FSH and LH are crucial for the development of ovarian follicles and triggering ovulation. Without proper FSH and LH signals, the ovaries may not mature eggs or release them consistently.
  • Inhibition of Ovulation: The primary mechanism by which high prolactin affects fertility is by preventing ovulation. If an egg is not released from the ovary, conception cannot occur. This anovulation is a common cause of infertility in women with hyperprolactinemia.
  • Impact on Oestrogen Levels: High prolactin can also lead to lower levels of oestrogen, a hormone vital for reproductive health. Low oestrogen can contribute to vaginal dryness and may further impair fertility by affecting the uterine lining's receptivity to an embryo.
  • Links with Thyroid Function: There's a well-established connection between prolactin levels and thyroid function. An underactive thyroid gland, a condition called hypothyroidism, can lead to elevated prolactin. This is because the pituitary gland, in an attempt to stimulate a sluggish thyroid, can produce more thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH and prolactin production are closely linked in the pituitary, so increased TSH can inadvertently lead to increased prolactin. Therefore, if you have high prolactin, your doctor will likely also check your thyroid function.
  • Pituitary Function and Prolactinomas: As mentioned, the pituitary gland is the primary producer of prolactin. In some cases, a benign tumour on the pituitary gland, called a prolactinoma, can be the cause of excessively high prolactin levels. These tumours are usually non-cancerous but can lead to a range of symptoms due to the excess prolactin and, if large enough, by pressing on surrounding brain structures. Identifying and managing a prolactinoma is crucial for normalising prolactin levels and restoring reproductive function.

When Doctors Recommend Repeat Testing

A single high prolactin reading doesn't always indicate a persistent problem. Prolactin levels can fluctuate due to various factors, including stress, exercise, certain medications, and even the time of day the blood sample is taken. Therefore, doctors often recommend repeat testing to confirm the diagnosis of hyperprolactinemia.

Reasons for repeat testing include:

  • Confirming the initial elevated reading: To rule out transient increases, a second test, often performed under stricter conditions (e.g., in the morning after an overnight fast and avoiding stress), is usually advised.
  • Monitoring treatment effectiveness: If you are undergoing treatment for high prolactin, regular repeat tests are essential to assess how well the medication is working and to adjust dosages if necessary.
  • Tracking prolactinoma growth (if applicable): For individuals diagnosed with a prolactinoma, repeat testing, along with imaging studies like an MRI of the pituitary, helps monitor the tumour's size and activity.
  • Investigating persistent symptoms: Even if initial tests are borderline, persistent symptoms like irregular periods or infertility may warrant further investigation and repeat prolactin measurements.

Your doctor will provide specific instructions on how to prepare for your prolactin test to ensure the most accurate results. This often includes avoiding strenuous exercise, stress, and certain medications before the test.

Book Prolactin Test Panel via Apollo 24|7

Understanding your health is the first step towards effective management. Apollo 24|7 offers a convenient and reliable way to access diagnostic tests, including the vital prolactin test, from the comfort of your home. They provide various packages that can help assess your hormonal health comprehensively.

For a targeted assessment of your prolactin levels and their impact on fertility, you can consider the following:

  • Prolactin Test: This is the most direct way to measure the concentration of prolactin in your blood.

Book a Prolactin Test

  • Apollo Fertility Profile - Female: This comprehensive package includes the Prolactin Test along with other crucial hormones for female fertility, such as AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone), TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone), LH (Luteinising Hormone), and Estradiol (E2). This package provides a holistic view of your reproductive hormonal health, helping to pinpoint the underlying cause of fertility challenges.

Book an Apollo Fertility Profile Female

  • FSH, LH & Prolactin, Serum: This specific panel directly assesses these three key hormones that are often interconnected in regulating the menstrual cycle and ovulation. This is particularly useful when investigating irregular periods or suspected pituitary issues. 

Book a FSH, LH, & Prolactin Serum

Advantages of choosing Apollo 24|7 for your diagnostic needs:

  • Easy to use: You can book tests online or with their app, and they'll even come to your home to collect samples. This saves you time and the hassle of travelling.
  • Accurate results: Apollo 24|7 uses labs that are officially recognised for their quality (NABL-accredited). This means you can trust your test results, giving you peace of mind.
  • Complete health check-ups: They have different health packages that check many things at once. These packages are often cheaper than getting each test separately, which is great for understanding how different parts of your body, like your hormones, work together.
  • Doctor's advice at your fingertips: Their platform often helps you understand your test results. You can even talk to a doctor online to discuss your reports and what steps you should take next.
  • Quick results: You'll get your reports fast, usually online. This means you can show them to your doctor sooner and get the care you need without delay.

Conclusion

High prolactin levels can be a significant factor contributing to irregular periods and fertility challenges in women. Understanding the role of prolactin, recognising the symptoms of hyperprolactinemia, and seeking timely diagnostic testing are crucial steps towards managing this condition effectively. Given the intricate connections between prolactin, thyroid, and pituitary function, a comprehensive approach to diagnosis is often necessary. By leveraging reliable diagnostic services like those offered by Apollo 24|7, women can gain valuable insights into their hormonal health, paving the way for appropriate treatment and an improved path towards reproductive well-being. If you are experiencing symptoms suggestive of high prolactin, do not hesitate to consult your doctor and consider a prolactin test to take control of your health journey.

Get Your Reproductive Health Assessed

670(₹1675)60% off

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