You may have been told by your doctor to lower your prolactin level for better health and fertility. Prolactin is a hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland and it has many functions in the body, one of which is to stimulate milk production in women who are breastfeeding.
However, high prolactin levels in women can cause problems such as infertility, irregular periods, and osteoporosis.
Ayurveda provides effective natural treatment for hyperprolactinemia and hormonal imbalance. In this article, we will look into symptoms, causes and Ayurvedic natural treatment for high prolactin levels in women.
The role of Prolactin for Hormonal Balance in Women
Prolactin is produced in the pituitary gland, which is a small gland located at the base of the brain. It is responsible for stimulating breast milk production during pregnancy as well as regulating hormonal balance.
The pituitary gland that controls hormone levels of Prolactin also regulates the flow of primary reproductive hormones in women.
That’s why whenever one struggles with high prolactin level, they also have disturbance in the luteinizing hormone (LH) and the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), leading to period problems.
Hyperprolactinemia thus also leads to lower estrogen and progesterone production, which further affects your hormone balance and overall health.
Additionally, it has been observed that up to 50% of women with hyperprolactinemia also have hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). This can lead to health problems associated with weight gain, slow digestion and excess Kapha in the body.
Symptoms of Hyperprolactinemia
Increased level of prolactin in the blood can cause various symptoms. The symptoms differ slightly between men, women and children.
There are several signs and symptoms that may indicate you have high prolactin levels. These can include:
- Irregular or no menstrual periods
- Infertility
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Headaches or migraines
- Muscle aches and pains
- Mood swings and Irritability
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Low Libido – Decreased sex drive
- Vaginal Dryness
- Hot flashes
- High androgen levels leading to unwanted growth of hair on the face or body (hirsutism)
- Low Blood Sugar
- Low Blood pressure
Symptoms of High Prolactin in children and teenagers may include:
- Decreased growth
- Delay in puberty
These symptoms can be caused by other conditions, so it’s important to consult with your doctor to rule out any serious underlying causes.
Health risks of Hyperprolactinemia in women
High prolactin levels can cause a number of health problems in women. These can include:
- Osteoporosis: High prolactin levels can interfere with calcium absorption and reduce estrogen and testosterone levels. This can lead to bone loss, decreased bone density and an increased risk of osteoporosis.
- Miscarriage: Prolactin has been shown to play a role in early pregnancy, and high levels of the hormone can increase the risk of miscarriage.
- Premature birth: Some research suggests that high prolactin levels may be associated with premature labor and delivery.
- Breastfeeding difficulties: High prolactin levels can interfere with breast milk production and cause difficulty in breastfeeding.
Causes of High Prolactin Levels
There are several factors that can contribute to high level of prolactin hormone.
- Pregnancy: Prolactin levels increase during pregnancy due to the increased demand for breast milk production.
- Stress: Cortisol is a stress hormone. High levels of cortisol push production of prolactin hormone, even if you are not pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Medications and Recreational Drugs: Certain types of medication such as antidepressants and antipsychotics that raise dopamine levels can raise prolactin levels in the body.
- Medical Conditions: High prolactin levels in your body may be caused by hypothyroidism, PCOS, kidney disease or liver problems.
- Prolactinoma (pituitary tumor): A benign (not cancerous) pituitary gland tumor is called prolactinoma. This tumor overproduces the prolactin hormone. Prolactinoma is usually not life-threatening. However, it can impair your vision, cause hormonal imbalance, fertility problems and other health issues.
If you think you may have high prolactin levels, it’s important to consult with your doctor to rule out any serious underlying causes.
Once any underlying health conditions have been ruled out or treated, you can work with an Ayurvedic practitioner to create a personalized treatment plan to lower your prolactin levels and bring your body back into balance.
Ayurvedic Treatment for High Prolactin Level
Hormones can be compared to dhatavagni “dhatu agni” or the digestive fire of the body tissues, which guides the production quality and quantity of body tissues.
High prolactin levels can thus be characterized as an imbalance of digestive fire and dosha, which further affects the “dhatu agni”.
The goal of Ayurvedic treatment for hyperprolactinemia is to restore the hormonal balance and fertility.
Ayurvedic treatment for high prolactin level involves Ayurvedic medicines, herbal remedies, diet, yoga and lifestyle changes. This holistic approach helps to detox and flush out excess prolactin, ignite digestive fire for balanced nutrition, regulate menstrual cycle for regular ovulation and fertility, and reduce stress for mental wellness and hormonal balance.
Here are the steps involved in Ayurvedic treatment for high prolactin level:
- Detoxification to get rid of toxins and inflammation in the body.
- Ignite digestive fire to promote digestion and nutritional sufficiency.
- Hormone Balance to support regular ovulation & boost fertility.
- Promote Mental wellness to Reduce Stress & Prolactin production.
- Rejuvenation with rasayana to boost immunity & raise energy level.
- Balanced Nutrition with individual specific diet to nurture body tissues.
- Yoga, Pranayama & Meditation to promote bone health, weight loss & physical strength.
Ayurvedic Medicine to Naturally Lower Prolactin levels
Several herbal remedies and formulations are included in Ayurvedic medicine to effectively and permanently reduce high prolactin level.
Ayurvedic herbs work by balancing hormones, strengthening the reproductive system, and promoting mental wellness. Here are some of the most popular Ayurvedic medicine for hyperprolactinemia:
Shatavari – It is a powerful Ayurvedic medicine for female reproductive system health. It is known treat hormonal imbalance, boost fertility, and improve the levels of reproductive hormones in the body.
Ashwagandha – It is a powerful adaptogenic herb that has been shown to be helpful in stress reduction and hormonal balance. Ashwagandha benefits the nervous system, thus helps to reduce high prolactin levels caused by stress or other emotional imbalances.
Brahmi – It is a popular Ayurvedic herb that has been shown to be helpful in balancing hormones and reducing stress. It can help support reproductive health, improve brain function, and increase energy levels.
Kanchnaar Guggul – It is a powerful adaptogenic herb that is known for its ability to reduce and remove tumor and benign growths in the body. Additionally, it helps with hormonal balance. It can be effective in both hyperprolactinemia due to prolactinoma or other causes.
Amalaki – Amalaki is a powerful Ayurvedic medicine that is particularly effective for improving the health of the digestive system. It has been shown to be helpful in reducing inflammation, boosting immunity, and supporting reproductive health.
Diet and Foods to Reduce Prolactin in Women
High levels of Prolactin can be tackled by improving your nutrition and having a healthy diet. There are certain foods that can help to reduce prolactin levels in the body. These include:
-Vitamin B6: This vitamin helps to regulate prolactin levels in the body. Foods rich in vitamin B6 include bananas, whole grains, legumes, and nuts.
-Vitamin E: This vitamin helps to promote hormone balance in the body. Foods rich in vitamin E include dark leafy greens, avocado, and olive oil.
-Magnesium: This mineral helps to promote healthy hormone levels in the body. Foods rich in magnesium include dark chocolate, leafy greens, and pumpkin seeds.
-Zinc: This mineral helps to reduce prolactin levels in the body. Foods rich in zinc include oysters, beef, and lamb.
-Dairy: Dairy products such as milk and cheese contain high levels of prolactin. However, fermented dairy products such as yogurt and kefir can help to reduce prolactin levels in the body.
-Omega-3 fatty acids: These healthy fats help to promote hormone balance in the body. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, flaxseed, and chia seeds.
Yoga to Lower Prolactin Levels Naturally
Yoga is an effective way to lower prolactin levels naturally. Yoga helps to reduce stress, improve reproductive health, and promote overall well-being.
Some of the most effective yoga poses for hyperprolactinemia include the following:
- Cobra Pose: This pose helps to stimulate the thyroid gland, which can help regulate hormone levels.
- Camel Pose: This pose helps to stretch and open the chest, which can help reduce stress and improve circulation.
- Fish Pose: This pose helps to improve circulation and relieve stress. It is also said to be helpful in promoting fertility.
- Shoulder Stand: This pose helps to tone the reproductive organs and reduce stress. It is also said to help stimulate the thyroid gland, which can help treat hormonal imbalance.
Working with a qualified yoga instructor can help you find the right combination of poses for your individual needs. With regular practice, you can experience the benefits of yoga to lower prolactin levels and improving hormonal balance.
Ayurvedic Lifestyle Tips to Reduce Prolactin in Women
One of the main goals of Ayurveda is to promote harmony between the different aspects of the self. This includes balancing the hormones. For women, this often means reducing prolactin levels. Prolactin is a hormone that is responsible for milk production during breastfeeding. However, high levels of prolactin can also lead to problems such as infertility, irregular periods, and acne.
Reduce Stress
One of the best ways to reduce prolactin levels is to reduce stress. Stress can trigger the release of hormones such as cortisol, which can in turn increase prolactin levels. There are many different ways to reduce stress, such as yoga, meditation, and aromatherapy.
Get Enough Sleep
Another way to reduce prolactin levels is to make sure you are getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can lead to an increase in stress hormones, which can raise prolactin levels. Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
Regular Exercise
Exercise is another great way to reduce stress and promote hormone balance. It can also help to improve sleep quality.
Healthy Diet
What you eat can also impact hormone levels. Avoid processed foods, sugar, and caffeine. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Consider adding herbs such as ashwagandha, shatavari, and fenugreek to your diet. These herbs have been shown to help balance hormones and reduce stress.
Reduce Alcohol Intake
Cutting back on alcohol can also help to lower prolactin levels. Alcohol can interfere with hormone production and increase stress levels.
Takeaway
If you have high prolactin levels, it is important to speak to a doctor to find out the cause. In some cases, treatment may be necessary to manage symptoms or reduce the effects of the condition. However, in other cases, you may be able to manage your symptoms and find relief with simple changes in your diet and lifestyle.
Ayurveda offers effective natural ways for hormone balance and to specifically balance prolactin in women. Ayurvedic diet, lifestyle and medication provides a holistic natural avenue for permanent relief from health symptoms at the root cause level.
Consult with Medhya’s Ayurvedic Health Experts to get your personalised health plan involving prescription for Ayurvedic medicine, diet, yoga and lifestyle guidelines.
FAQ
1. How to lower prolactin levels naturally to get pregnant?
There are a few things that can be done to lower prolactin levels in order to get pregnant. First, it is important to know what prolactin is and what its function is in relation to pregnancy. Prolactin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that regulates milk production during breastfeeding. However, high levels of prolactin can also interfere with ovulation and cause infertility.
There are a few ways to lower prolactin levels naturally. One way is to consume more of foods that lower prolactin levels like banana, pomegranate, beans, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, fatty fish and lean meats. Another way is to get more exercise and practice yoga that can balance hormones.
The best will be to get a personalised health plan and prescription from an Ayurvedic doctor, who can help you find the right herbs and supplements to lower your prolactin levels.
2. Can prolactin levels go down on their own?
Yes, prolactin levels can go down on their own. In fact, there are a few different ways that prolactin levels can be reduced.
Some of the most common ways that prolactin levels can be reduced naturally include: exercise, stress reduction, getting enough sleep, and avoiding stimulants like caffeine. Additionally, certain foods and supplements may help to reduce prolactin levels. Some natural remedies that have been shown to be effective for reducing prolactin levels include: garlic, onion, turmeric, ginger, fenugreek seeds, and asafetida.
3. How long does it take to reduce prolactin levels?
There is no one definitive answer to this question since the time it takes to reduce prolactin levels can vary depending on the individual and the underlying cause of their high prolactin levels.
For cases with no prolactinoma, you may see your prolactin levels going down in 4-6 weeks of time. However, when you have prolactinoma and other medical conditions, then it may take longer as much as a year or so.
4. How do you know if your prolactin levels are too high?
Some common symptoms of high prolactin levels may include irregular periods, infertility, breast pain or discharge from the nipples, weight gain around the stomach area, headaches and mood changes.
While these symptoms alone are not enough to diagnose a condition like prolactinoma or hypothyroidism, it is important to see your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms as they may be caused by other conditions.
5. How is Hyperprolactinemia diagnosed?
Blood samples can be taken to measure the level of prolactin. If a high prolactin level is detected, you may be requested to have another test.
Usually, levels of prolactin in your body are affected by many other factors, such as phase of menstrual cycle, sleep sufficiency and mental state of stress or anxiety. That’s why it is a good idea to take the blood sample when you’re well rested and awake for at least two hours.
At the same time, other blood tests are performed. It is critical to check thyroid function and kidney function since these can affect prolactin levels. Additional testing, such as a MRI scan, may be required to determine whether pituitary gland tumor is interfering with production of other hormones in the body.
6. What are the normal prolactin level in women by age?
The normal range for prolactin levels in women is 4-23 ng/mL. However, this range may vary slightly depending on the laboratory that did the test.
- 0 to 20 ng/ml is considered normal prolactin level in both men and women who are not pregnant or nursing
- 30 to 200 ng/ml prolactin level may indicate presence of small tumor of pituitary gland.
- More than 500 ng/ml prolactin level indicates presence of large tumor of pituitary gland.
References
Ayurvedic Management of Hyperprolactinemia Secondary to Pituitary Microadenoma: A Case Report
Patient education: High prolactin levels and prolactinomas (Beyond the Basics)
