Hyperprolactinaemia means your blood has too much prolactin, the hormone that makes breast milk. Most people don’t notice it until the hormone starts affecting periods, sex drive or causes unexpected milk flow. The condition can be a sign of something simple, like a pill you take, or something more serious, such as a tiny tumor on the pituitary gland.
Typical signs include milky discharge from the nipples (even if you’re not pregnant), irregular periods, infertility, low libido, and sometimes headaches or vision changes. Many medicines raise prolactin levels – antipsychotics, anti‑nausea drugs and some blood‑pressure pills are frequent culprits. Hormonal shifts during pregnancy or breastfeeding naturally increase prolactin, but the level should drop after weaning. If it stays high, doctors check for a pituitary adenoma, a benign growth that can press on surrounding tissue.
Other health issues can push prolactin up too. An under‑active thyroid (hypothyroidism) makes the brain think you need more prolactin. Kidney disease and liver problems can also interfere with hormone clearance. In most cases, a simple blood test pinpoints the problem, and a MRI or CT scan confirms if a tumor is present.
When a tumor is the cause, the first line of treatment is usually medication. Drugs like cabergoline and bromocriptine lower prolactin and often shrink the tumor. They’re taken once or twice a day and many people feel better within weeks. Surgery is reserved for cases where medication fails or the tumor compresses vision‑important nerves.
If a medication you’re already using is raising prolactin, talk to your doctor about alternatives. Sometimes switching to a different antidepressant or antipsychotic can normalize levels without extra pills. Lifestyle tweaks help, too: keep stress low, get regular sleep, and avoid alcohol excess, which can irritate the pituitary.
Nutrition isn’t a cure, but certain foods support hormonal balance. Foods rich in vitamin B6 (like bananas and potatoes) and zinc (beef, pumpkin seeds) aid dopamine production, a natural prolactin blocker. Staying hydrated and exercising regularly keep blood flow healthy, which can reduce headache frequency.
Follow‑up appointments are key. Your doctor will retest prolactin after a few weeks of treatment to see if you’re on the right track. Once levels are stable, most people can stay on a low dose of medication indefinitely, with occasional blood checks to catch any changes early.
Bottom line: hyperprolactinaemia is often manageable with a mix of medication, simple lifestyle changes, and regular monitoring. If you notice any of the symptoms, a quick blood test can give you answers and get you back to feeling normal faster.
Explore how excess prolactin and insulin resistance interact, who’s at risk, and practical steps to restore hormonal balance and improve metabolic health.