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High Prolactin

In This Article:

High Prolactin Causes

High Prolactin Treatment

Normal ovulation is a complex process that requires many things to happen properly and at the correct time with the proper hormone levels. Often subtle hormonal imbalances or ovulation abnormalities result in decreased fertility. One hormone imbalance that can affect fertility is prolactin levels. High prolactin levels in nonpregnant women is known as hyperprolactinemia.

The Hormone Prolactin

Prolactin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain. In nonpregnant women, prolactin circulates in low levels in the bloodstream. When a woman is pregnant the amount of prolactin increase tenfold and stimulate milk production. High prolactin can create several problems including:

inadequate progesterone production during luteal phase after ovulation
irregular ovulation and menstruation
absence of menstruation
galactorrhea (breast milk production in non-nursing woman)

Prolactin Testing

Prolactin testing is usually performed in females in the morning at the beginning of the cycle and again seven days later to determine if the prolactin levels are normal. Normal prolactin level in women is approximately 25 nanograms per milliliter. High prolactin my indicate the need for further testing (MRI) to check for a pituitary tumor.

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Latest Ask the Expert Questions

I am 35 yo and have been trying to get pregnant for 2 years. The ovulation predictor kit indicates that I ovulate every month, and bloodwork showed normal hormone levels. So what is the advantage of prescribing Clomid, if I am already ovulating? Thanks!
Submitted by roxy_tann on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 12:20
My wife is 28 yr old. She has symptoms of turner's syndrome. Now she is having normal periods. But she is not getting pregnant. Is it possible for her to conceive without a donated egg or embryo?
Submitted by samueljacob700 on Wed, 06/17/2009 - 22:00
This month I did a IUI on 3rd June that time there was 3 eggs. But 17th June I got my period but what is the possibility that all 3 eggs did not have fertile or one or more got fertile.
Submitted by werahera@hotmail.com on Wed, 06/17/2009 - 21:42
doctor i have stop seein my period three months now, went to the doctor got treated for an infection, but my period has not return can i still pregnant even though i dont see my period
Submitted by angieangel1507 on Tue, 06/16/2009 - 15:32
Doctor said, May I was tension during opertaion, that why the left tube shows blocked. I'm a mother of 4 years old boy . I deliverd by C-section. I want to know is it true that my letf tube is blocked because I was tension during the opertaion. thank u
Submitted by Haloool on Sun, 06/14/2009 - 23:17

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