Prolactin: What It Does, What Goes Wrong, and How to Take Control
When your body makes too much prolactin, a hormone mainly made by the pituitary gland that triggers milk production and affects reproductive health. Also known as lactotropin, it’s not just about breastfeeding—high levels can mess with your period, lower your sex drive, cause breast milk even if you’re not pregnant, and even lead to headaches or vision problems. This isn’t rare. Many people don’t realize their fatigue, low libido, or irregular periods are tied to prolactin, not stress or aging.
High prolactin often comes from a harmless tumor called a prolactinoma, a noncancerous growth in the pituitary gland that overproduces prolactin. But it can also be triggered by certain meds—like antipsychotics, antidepressants, or even some stomach drugs. That’s why you’ll see posts here about how prednisone, a steroid known to disrupt hormone balance can shift your cortisol and prolactin levels, or how clozapine, an antipsychotic that alters dopamine pathways might raise prolactin as a side effect. Even something as simple as a thyroid imbalance can throw prolactin out of whack, since your hormones all talk to each other.
If you’ve been told your prolactin is high, you’re not alone. People often feel confused—why now? Why me? The good news is, it’s usually treatable. Blood tests can confirm levels. Imaging like an MRI finds tumors. And medications like cabergoline can bring levels back down fast. But you also need to know what else might be going on. Is your low energy from prolactin? Or from poor sleep? Or from something else entirely? That’s why the posts here cover how hormone issues link to mood swings, memory problems, and even sexual health. You’ll find real talk on what to ask your doctor, what meds to watch out for, and how to spot when something’s off before it gets worse.
Whether you’re dealing with unexplained milk production, missed periods, or just a nagging feeling that something’s not right with your hormones, this collection gives you the facts without the fluff. No jargon. No guesswork. Just clear, practical info to help you understand what prolactin is doing in your body—and what to do next.
How Hyperprolactinaemia Affects Memory and Thinking
Sep, 28 2025