What happens after I get my results?

You'll receive detailed doctor notes in simple language explaining what your prolactin level means for your fertility, energy, and overall health. These notes include personalized recommendations like lifestyle changes, stress management techniques, or whether you should consider further hormonal evaluation with an endocrinologist. You'll also get the standard lab report and can track your prolactin levels over time using our trends feature to see how your interventions are working.

Who should consider getting this test?

This test is important for women experiencing irregular periods, difficulty getting pregnant, or unexpected milk production when not breastfeeding. Men should consider it if they're dealing with low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, or unexplained infertility. It's also valuable for anyone with unexplained fatigue, mood changes, or headaches that might be related to pituitary gland function.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Common symptoms include difficulty conceiving, irregular or absent menstrual periods, unexpected breast milk production, decreased sex drive, and erectile dysfunction in men. You might also experience unexplained headaches, vision problems, fatigue, or mood changes. These symptoms can indicate elevated prolactin levels that may be affecting your reproductive hormones and overall health.

What is prolactin and why does it matter?

Prolactin is a hormone produced by your pituitary gland that primarily controls milk production during and after pregnancy. In both men and women, it also affects reproductive function, sex drive, and fertility. When prolactin levels are too high, it can interfere with ovulation in women and testosterone production in men, making it harder to conceive and affecting sexual function.

What does high prolactin mean?

High prolactin levels, called hyperprolactinemia, can interfere with reproductive hormones and fertility in both men and women. In women, it may cause irregular periods, difficulty getting pregnant, or unexpected breast milk production. In men, high prolactin can lower testosterone, leading to reduced sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and fertility issues. It can also be a sign of a pituitary gland tumor or other underlying condition that needs attention.

What causes high prolactin levels?

High prolactin can be caused by pregnancy and breastfeeding, which are normal. Other causes include certain medications like antidepressants or blood pressure drugs, chronic stress, intense exercise, thyroid problems, or pituitary gland tumors. Even chest wall irritation or stimulation can temporarily raise prolactin levels, which is why your doctor may want to retest if levels are elevated.

How can I naturally support healthy prolactin levels?

Managing stress through meditation, yoga, or regular relaxation practices can help balance prolactin levels. Getting adequate sleep and avoiding late-night eating supports healthy hormone regulation. Foods rich in vitamin B6 like chicken, fish, bananas, and chickpeas may help maintain normal prolactin levels. Regular but moderate exercise is beneficial, though excessive intense workouts can temporarily raise prolactin.