Hyperprolactinemia affects less than 1% of the total population annually. Although this ratio is not considered high, it can lead to infertility if left untreated. Therefore, anybody noticing any symptoms of hyperprolactinemia should seek recovery treatments. It is not always necessary to go with conventional medical treatments, natural remedies can also help alleviate high prolactin levels. To learn more about how to lower prolactin levels naturally, keep reading.

What Is Prolactin?

Prolactin is the hormone produced by the pituitary gland and is responsible for the growth of breast size and the production of milk during pregnancy and after birth. The level of prolactin is usually higher among females during pregnancy. In males, prolactin has a role in the production of testosterone, a male sex hormone responsible for fertility.

What Is Hyperprolactinemia?

Hyperprolactinemia refers to the condition in which a person has a high level of prolactin in the body. It can be treated through conventional medical ways and natural remedies.

Causes Of High Prolactin Level

Any of the following causes can cause high prolactin levels.

Pituitary Tumor

The formation of noncancerous tumors in the pituitary gland can be a reason for hyperprolactinemia. The pituitary tumor causes the excess production and release of prolactin in the blood. People having pituitary tumors usually experience nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, and loss of smell sense.

Certain Medications

Any drug interfering with the functioning of dopamine in the blood interferes with feedback inhibition of dopamine in the body. It ultimately leads to high prolactin production. Medications used to treat hypertension, nausea, vomiting, stomach ulcer, heartburn, menopause, pain, and birth control pills can produce excess prolactin.

Other Disorders

People suffering from certain diseases such as hyperthyroidism, renal diseases, hepatic malfunctioning, Cushing diseases, and PCOS are at high risk of producing excess prolactin in their bodies.

Symptoms Of Excess Prolactin Production

An elevated blood level of prolactin can result in different symptoms among males and females, as this hormone is associated with the functioning of the reproductive system.

In females, hyperprolactinemia can result in the following symptoms.

• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Vaginal Dryness
• Menupause
• Painful intercourse
• Excessive hair growth
• Infertility
• Osteoporosis
• Loss of sexual desire
• Milk discharge, even if a female is not breastfeeding

Among males, hyperprolactinemia can cause the following symptoms.

• Erectile dysfunction
• Loss of muscular mass
• Enlarged breast size
• Loss of hair growth
• Infertility
• Osteoporosis
• Loss of sexual drive

How To Lower Prolactin Levels Naturally?

Here are discussed all effective ways of treating elevated prolactin levels naturally.

Balance Your Blood Sugar Level

Studies have shown that a constant increase in blood sugar levels can potentially cause increased prolactin levels. Excessive sugar intake causes the body cells to become insulin insensitive. Insulin is the hormone released by the pancreas and is responsible for the breakdown of glucose, thus reducing the blood sugar level. When cells become insulin insensitive, insulin loses its ability to bind with the sugar molecules due to decreased insulin receptors. All these factors further stimulate the body’s high production and release of prolactin.

Therefore, it is always recommended to keep the blood sugar level within a limit. It can be accomplished by eating a low-sugar diet. People should avoid processed beverages and foods, as they can be relatively high in sugar. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help maintain sugar levels, further preventing insulin insensitivity and excess prolactin production.

Increase Vitamin B6 Intake

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin in naturally occurring food such as fish, beef liver, and potatoes. It can work effectively in lowering the blood prolactin level. Studies have shown that vitamin B6 can boost the functioning of dopamine in the hypothalamus, which works to inhibit prolactin production and release. 

Consume Chaste Berry

Chaste berry, also known as vitex or monk’s pepper, is a plant obtained from the Mediterranean and Western Asia and has been used for a long time for treating multiple health ailments, mainly symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. It can also effectively reduce the prolactin level in the blood, mainly by inhibiting prolactin production.

The therapeutic effects of chaste berries come from the essential oils and flavonoids present in them. But how can chaste berries inhibit prolactin secretion? Remember, dopamine is the neurotransmitter responsible for regulating the production and secretion of prolactin in the body.

Prolactin itself stimulates the release of dopamine, which then inhibits prolactin secretion through a negative feedback mechanism. Chaste berries, when consumed, offer dopaminergic effects, thus inhibiting the release of prolactin.

By performing the same function, chaste berry helps recover the symptoms of PMS and PCOS. But, it can only sometimes be effective for PCOS. It is because females suffering from PCOS may also have high levels of luteinizing hormone in their bodies, which reduces the chaste berry’s ability to reduce prolactin secretion. So, people looking to lower their prolactin level can consume chaste berries on the recommendation of a homeopathic expert.

Avoid Gluten

Gluten is the protein naturally present in wheat, barley, and rye. Not all people can tolerate gluten, which increases the risk of inflammation and some other side effects in these people. When a gluten-sensitive person consumes wheat, barley, or any other gluten-containing product, it stimulates inflammation mainly in the intestine.

This kind of inflammation can stimulate the production of prolactin, thus causing hyperprolactinemia. Therefore, people who are intolerant to gluten should avoid wheat, rye, and barley to reduce the risk of increased prolactin release.

Avoid Alcohol 

Alcoholic consumption can also be a reason for excess production of prolactin in the body. As we have discussed, dopamine is responsible for the controlled production of prolactin, as dopamine inhibits prolactin production through a negative feedback mechanism. Alcohol changes the dopaminergic functioning in the brain and reduces the ability to inhibit prolactin production. Therefore, people looking to lower their prolactin levels should avoid alcoholic products.

Avoid Stress

Studies have shown that females under stress are more likely to have high levels of prolactin in their bodies. It is because of the release of cortisol in the blood. Cortisol is the stress hormone released during emergency situations to make the body able to combat unexpected conditions. Cortisol stimulates multiple functionings in the body to cope with stressful situations.

It also stimulates the production and release of prolactin in the blood. Also, during stress, immune functioning slows down. The body releases prolactin hormone in the blood to maintain the immune response. Thus, all the stress-managing strategies ultimately end in a high amount of prolactin in the body. Therefore it is always recommended for females to avoid stress.

Stress can be avoided in several ways, such as having a good sleep, a healthy eating routine, and performing stress-relieving exercises. Mindful movement can be one of the best stress-relieving strategies to help lower the blood prolactin level. It is the type of exercise in which a person pays full attention to the body’s movement and position. It helps relieve stress and boosts positive energy in the body, which reduces the risk factor of elevated prolactin levels.

Consume Ginseng 

Ginseng powder can be an effective natural way to lower prolactin levels. Studies have shown that active constituents in ginseng inhibit and stress the production of prolactin, which helps females reduce the prolactin level in their bodies.

Increase Zinc Intake

Research has shown that zinc boosts the functioning of vitamin B6, which further increases the dopaminergic effects in the hypothalamus. It inhibits the production of prolactin, thus reducing its level in the body.

Consume Maca Powder 

Maca powder has the ability to increase the level of dopamine and nitric oxide in the body. Both of these components have inhibitory effects on the release of prolactin, thus preventing its elevated blood level.

Consume Mucuna Pruriens

It is a natural herb native to America and Africa and used for alleviating the symptoms of various health ailments. It can also lower the blood prolactin level naturally. This function is accomplished due to the dopamine-boosting ability of Mucuna Pruriens. This herb contains L-dopa, which is the dopamine precursor and inhibits the production of prolactin in the body. You should consume mucuna pruriens on the recommendation of your homeopathic expert to reduce its side effects.

Consume Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha, also known as winter cherry, is a herb grown in India, the Middle East, and some regions of Africa. This herb is used for reducing stress and elevating the testosterone level for a very long time. Besides these benefits, ashwagandha can also lower the level of prolactin in the body. It helps reduce stress, thus helping prevent the elevated level of cortisol in the blood. Reduced cortisol levels will not stimulate prolactin production, further reducing the risk factor of elevated prolactin.

How To Reduce The Risk Factor Of Increased Prolactin Levels Naturally?

• Ensure you do not have any pituitary tumors. The development of cancerous cells in the pituitary gland stimulates the excess production of prolactin, which leads to a constant elevation in blood prolactin levels.

• Ensure you are not suffering from chronic kidney disorders. The kidney plays a vital role in regulating the level of chemicals in the blood by removing toxins. Studies have shown that people at risk of kidney disease are more likely to suffer from elevated prolactin levels. It is because of the medications they are taking which produce side effects by boosting prolactin levels. Therefore, patients must regulate their drugs and undergo regular blood tests to reduce the risk factor of increased prolactin.

• Liver diseases can also be a reason for elevated prolactin levels. Studies have shown that people with hepatic diseases have increased prolactin production in their bodies. Therefore, patients must ensure that they are not suffering from liver dysfunction and that their medications are not producing chronic side effects.

• Thyroid malfunctioning can also be s reason for increased prolactin levels. Studies have shown that females suffering from thyroid diseases have elevated prolactin levels. It is because of the low production of thyroid hormones. Taking thyroid hormone supplements can help in lowering the increased prolactin levels.

Conclusion 

People with high prolactin levels should follow the natural remedies we discussed above. Otherwise, severe complications such as infertility can occur due to excess prolactin production. If you notice that your symptoms are not getting cured with natural remedies, it is always best to consult a doctor and then proceed accordingly.