Our Centers
Select City 
Select City
Prolactin Test
Prolactin is a kind of hormone that is popularly known for its role in breast milk production after the birth of a child. However, prolactin is involved not only in lactation, but also in reproductive health, menstrual cycle and ovulation. It also influences certain aspects of male fertility. Too much or too little prolactin can upset the hormonal balance and impact the ability to conceive. The prolactin test measures prolactin in your blood and may help detect problems related to infertility, irregular menstruation, unexplained breast milk secretion, erectile dysfunction, or diseases of the pituitary gland. Learning what your prolactin levels mean is one of the first steps toward detecting the problem and receiving the appropriate treatment.
Consult an Expert
Get a free callback from our fertility specialists
What Are Prolactin Levels?
The hormone prolactin is mainly secreted by the pituitary gland, which is a small gland that lies at the base of the brain. Even though prolactin is normally referred to in terms of pregnancy and lactation, this hormone also has an essential function of ensuring reproductive and hormonal health in both men and women.
In women, prolactin helps develop the breasts and produces milk during the period following childbirth. However, under normal conditions, prolactin remains at low levels until the time of pregnancy, when it increases to prepare the body for breastfeeding. In men, prolactin is released in much smaller amounts. However, it contributes to reproductive function by interacting with hormones involved in testosterone production and sperm development.
Because prolactin works closely with other hormones, even a slight imbalance may disrupt ovulation, menstrual cycles, sexual function, or fertility. Measuring prolactin levels helps doctors evaluate these concerns and identify possible hormonal disorders.
Due to the interaction of prolactin with other hormones, any minor imbalance can affect ovulation, menstruation, sexual function or fertility. Prolactin measurement is important in assessing such conditions to determine any hormonal disorder.
What Do High Prolactin Levels Mean?
Hyperprolactinaemia, a condition characterised by high amounts of prolactin, is one of the common hormonal disorders that affect fertility. The reason behind this can range from normal physiological changes to medical conditions requiring treatment.
Prolactinoma
This is a benign tumour in the pituitary gland that results in excess prolactin being produced. This is among the most common reasons for hyperprolactinaemia. Depending on the size, it may also lead to headaches or vision problems.
Hypothyroidism
An underactive thyroid may result in increased TRH (thyroid-releasing hormone) production, indirectly causing an increase in prolactin production. Treating hypothyroidism generally helps normalise the prolactin levels.
Certain Medications
Some medications can increase prolactin levels, such as some kinds of antidepressants, antipsychotics, blood pressure medicines, and anti-nausea medications. Your doctor will check your medicines before interpreting your test results.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Prolactin naturally rises during pregnancy and remains elevated while breastfeeding to support milk production. In these situations, high prolactin is considered normal.
Stress and Other Medical Conditions
Physical stress, emotional stress, injuries to the chest wall, kidney disease, liver disease, and some pituitary disorders may cause increased levels of prolactin. Prolactin levels that become high temporarily due to stress subside on their own without any treatment.
Who Should Consider a Prolactin Test?
Individuals experiencing difficulty getting pregnant
Women with irregular or absent menstrual periods
Women with breast milk discharge when not pregnant or breastfeeding
Individuals with unexplained infertility
People with persistent headaches or vision problems
Men with reduced sex drive or erectile dysfunction
Men with low testosterone levels
Individuals with suspected pituitary gland disorders
Anyone undergoing a comprehensive fertility evaluation
How Is a Prolactin Test Performed?
Understanding Your Prolactin Test Results
Your prolactin test results are interpreted alongside your symptoms, medical history, fertility concerns, medications, and other hormone test results. If your prolactin level is abnormal, your doctor may recommend repeat testing or further investigations to identify the underlying cause.
Reference ranges can vary slightly between laboratories and assay kits.
Normal Prolactin Levels
Normal prolactin levels indicate that prolactin production is within the expected range for your age, sex, and pregnancy status.
High Prolactin Levels
Elevated prolactin levels may occur due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, certain medications, thyroid disorders, prolactinoma, or other medical conditions.
Low Prolactin Levels
Low prolactin levels are less common and may be associated with pituitary disorders or certain medications.
Repeat Testing
Mildly abnormal prolactin levels may require repeat testing, as temporary factors such as stress or recent exercise can influence the results.
Factors That May Affect Prolactin Test Results
Several physiological, lifestyle, and medical factors can temporarily or permanently influence prolactin levels. Your doctor considers these factors when interpreting your test results and deciding whether repeat testing or further evaluation is required.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Prolactin levels naturally increase during pregnancy and remain elevated while breastfeeding to support milk production.
Stress & Vigorous Exercise
Emotional stress, physical stress, fatigue, recent exercise, and breast stimulation can temporarily increase prolactin levels.
Certain Medications
Some antidepressants, antipsychotics, blood pressure medicines, anti-nausea medications, and dopamine-related drugs can affect prolactin levels.
Time of Blood Sample Collection
Prolactin levels fluctuate throughout the day and are usually highest during sleep and in the early morning, making the timing of the test important for accurate interpretation.
Hormonal & Pituitary Disorders
Conditions such as prolactinoma, hypothyroidism, and other pituitary disorders can cause abnormal prolactin levels.
What Do Low Prolactin Levels Mean?
As compared to high prolactin levels, low prolactin levels are much less common and usually do not cause noticeable symptoms. However, they may sometimes indicate an underlying medical condition.
Pituitary Disorders
Damage to the pituitary gland from surgery, radiation, injury or rare disorders may decrease the production of prolactin along with other important hormones.
Certain Medications
Medicines that increase dopamine activity, such as dopamine agonists used to treat high prolactin levels or Parkinson’s disease, may lower prolactin concentrations.
Other Underlying Conditions
Though rare, low prolactin levels may affect milk production after childbirth or occur alongside other pituitary hormone deficiencies that need further evaluation.
Symptoms of Abnormal Prolactin Levels
It is not fixed that abnormal prolactin levels will always cause symptoms; particularly if the increase is very small, there may be no visible symptoms. However, significant change can impact reproductive and hormonal health.
Irregular or Missed Periods
High prolactin levels can impact ovulation which may lead to irregular menstrual cycles or missed periods.
Difficulty Conceiving
Due to high prolactin levels, which cause irregular or absent ovulation, the possibility of natural conception decreases.
Breast Milk Production Without Pregnancy
This condition is also known as galactorrhoea and involves milk-like discharge from the breasts in someone who is neither pregnant nor breastfeeding.
Reduced Libido
Hormonal imbalances caused by abnormal prolactin levels can reduce sexual desire in both women and men.
Erectile Dysfunction (in Men)
High prolactin may affect the secretion of testosterone levels. Low testosterone levels may lead to erectile dysfunction, reduced sperm production and infertility.
Headaches and Vision Changes
Large pituitary gland tumours, also known as prolactinomas, may start creating pressure on nearby structures in the brain. This can cause chronic headaches or changes in vision. These symptoms require immediate medical intervention.
How Do Abnormal Prolactin Levels Affect Fertility?
Since prolactin influences multiple reproductive hormones, abnormal levels can affect fertility in both women and men.
Female Fertility
A high prolactin level inhibits ovulation by decreasing the production of FSH and LH. The absence of ovulation can result in irregular menstrual cycles or even their complete absence altogether.
Male Fertility
High prolactin may cause reduced levels of testosterone, low sperm production, decreased sexual drive, and also erectile dysfunction in some cases. Correcting hormonal levels often helps improve reproductive function.
Pregnancy Outcomes
If high prolactin is due to other conditions like a prolactinoma or thyroid disorder, treatment of the condition prior to conception helps improve fertility and support pregnancy. Most women with appropriately managed prolactin disorders can have successful pregnancies under medical supervision.
Treatment for Abnormal Prolactin Levels
The treatment will be based on what caused the abnormal prolactin level rather than the value itself.
Treatment of the Underlying Condition
Fixing an underlying condition or modifying a medication that elevates prolactin may help restore hormone balance.
Medications
Dopamine agonists such as cabergoline or bromocriptine are often prescribed for the reduction of prolactin levels as well as shrinking prolactin-secreting pituitary tumours.
Hormone Therapy
When abnormal prolactin levels interfere with ovulation and testosterone production, additional hormonal therapy may be recommended by your doctor depending on your reproductive plans.
Surgical Intervention (If Necessary)
Surgery is typically used for the treatment of large prolactinomas when medicines fail or produce insufficient effects.
Regular Monitoring
Follow-up blood tests and when necessary, repeat imaging help monitor treatment response and ensure prolactin levels remain within the target range.
Benefits of a Prolactin Test
Supports Fertility Evaluation
Helps investigate infertility in both women and men by identifying abnormal prolactin levels that may interfere with conception.
Detects Hormonal Imbalances
Measures prolactin levels to identify hormonal disorders that may affect reproductive and overall health.
Assesses Menstrual Health
Helps determine whether abnormal prolactin levels are contributing to irregular, missed, or absent menstrual periods.
Not sure what your Prolactin Test result means for you?
Get a free, no-obligation read on your numbers from one of our fertility specialists.
Average response time: under 2 hours
Risks and Side Effects of Prolactin Test
A prolactin test is generally safe and involves minimal risk. You may experience mild pain, bruising or slight bleeding where the blood sample is taken. These effects usually resolve within a day or two. Serious complications are rare.
Minimal Risks
- Mild pain or discomfort during blood sample collection.
- Temporary bruising or slight bleeding at the needle insertion site.
- Minor swelling that usually resolves within a day or two.
- Serious complications are rare.
What Happens After the Prolactin Test?
Results Review
Your doctor interprets your prolactin levels based on your age, sex, pregnancy status, symptoms, and overall clinical history.
Repeat Testing (If Needed)
If your prolactin level is only mildly elevated, your doctor may recommend repeating the blood test, as temporary factors such as stress, fatigue, or recent exercise can influence the results.
Additional Investigations
If abnormal prolactin levels are confirmed, further hormone tests or an MRI scan of the pituitary gland may be advised to determine the underlying cause.
Personalised Treatment & Follow-Up
Based on the diagnosis, your doctor may recommend medications, treatment for the underlying condition, hormone therapy, surgery (if necessary), or regular monitoring to restore hormone balance and support reproductive health.
Related Fertility Tests
Why Choose Birla Fertility for Diagnostic Test
Accurate diagnostics are the foundation of every fertility plan we build — here's what sets our testing experience apart.
120+
Fertility Experts
2 Lakh+
Patients Treated
50+
Clinics in India
NABL
Accredited Labs
Top IVF Centers in Popular Cities
- IVF Center in Delhi
- IVF Center in New Town Kolkata
- IVF Center in Gurgaon
- IVF Center in Rewari
- IVF Center in Lucknow
- IVF Center in Varanasi
- IVF Center in Gorakhpur
- IVF Center in Noida
- IVF Center in Prayagraj
- IVF Center in Meerut
- IVF Center in Kolkata
- IVF Center in Howrah
- IVF Center in Bhubaneswar
- IVF Center in Cuttack
- IVF Center in Surat
- IVF Center in Ahmedabad
- IVF Center in Ranchi
- IVF Center in Chandigarh
- IVF Center in Guwahati
- IVF Center in Raipur
- IVF Center in Jaipur
- IVF Center in Nagpur
- IVF Center in Hyderabad
- IVF Center in Indore
- IVF Center in Bhopal
- IVF Center in Kozhikode
- IVF Center in Kannur
- IVF Center in Mangalore
- IVF Center in Palakkad
- IVF Center in Salem
- IVF Center in Thrissur
- IVF Center in Bangalore
- IVF Center in Kolar
- IVF Center in Mumbai
- IVF Center in Vijayapura
- IVF Center in Chennai
- IVF Center in Patna
- IVF Center in Perinthalmanna
- IVF Center in Siliguri
- IVF Center in Jalandhar
- IVF Center in Gachibowli
Frequently Asked Questions About Prolactin Test
Normal prolactin levels are generally less than 20 ng/mL in adult men and less than 25 ng/mL in non-pregnant women. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, prolactin levels are naturally much higher.