{"id":20805,"date":"2022-01-26T08:45:48","date_gmt":"2022-01-26T07:45:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?p=20805"},"modified":"2022-01-26T08:46:34","modified_gmt":"2022-01-26T07:46:34","slug":"hormone-deep-dive-prolactin-the-milk-hormone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/hormone-deep-dive-prolactin-the-milk-hormone\/","title":{"rendered":"Hormone Deep Dive: Prolactin &#8211; The Milk Hormone"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The human body works in weird and wonderful ways to keep us moving and grooving through life. With so many intricate systems working in tandem with each other, it\u2019s a miracle how much they get done.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the ways the human body supports itself is through high-tech methods of communication. One of those high-tech methods is the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/hormones-understanding\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">endocrine system<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hormones are the hardworking messengers that make up the endocrine system. Over <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/endocrine-disruption\/what-endocrine-system#:~:text=Although%20hormones%20reach%20all%20parts,low%20amounts%20within%20the%20body.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fifty hormones<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have been identified in the human body, each with its own special jobs or jobs. You\u2019ve probably heard of hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/happy-hormones-what-are-they-and-how-do-they-work\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">oxytocin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but not all hormones get the same amount of attention. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So let\u2019s take a deep dive and get to know a vital hormone that many people haven\u2019t even heard of \u2013 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yourhormones.info\/hormones\/prolactin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prolactin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What is Prolactin?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have heard of prolactin, it\u2019s most likely been in the context of lactation, as that\u2019s what it\u2019s best known for.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prolactin plays a vital role in all parts of fertility, not just lactation. That being said, it\u2019s often called &#8216;the milk hormone&#8217;, because it helps with milk production for people who are lactating. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are some of the vital jobs that prolactin takes part in besides helping with lactation:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regulating metabolism<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regulating fluids in the body<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Behavioral functions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regulating the immune system<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Production of sex hormones<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fertility<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While estrogen regulates prolactin, other hormones like dopamine and oxytocin can cause an increase or decrease in the amount of prolactin in the body.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Where is Prolactin Made in The Body?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This incredible hormone is made primarily by the pituitary gland. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/articles\/21459-pituitary-gland\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pituitary gland<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a pea-sized gland at the base of your brain that helps regulate all sorts of bodily functions like your mood, energy levels, heartbeat, reproductive organs, vision, and growth. It\u2019s often called the \u201cmaster gland\u201d because it tells other glands to release hormones.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now back to prolactin! <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prolactin is also produced and stored in the uterus, breasts, brain, prostate, immune cells, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yourhormones.info\/glands\/adipose-tissue\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">adipose tissue<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Although it mainly hangs out around reproductive organs, it\u2019s crucial in many parts of the body and development.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Prolactin and Lactation<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Between clogged milk ducts, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/motherhood-and-mastitis-ouch\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mastitis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and low milk levels, lactation isn\u2019t always as straightforward as it may seem on the outside.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After birth prolactin levels go up giving your mammary glands the signal that it\u2019s time to get moving \u2013 they have a baby to feed! <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This rise in prolactin gets the milk moving, but to keep it flowing, people who are lactating need a regular breast and nipple stimulation through nursing, pumping, and sometimes breast massage.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without this stimulation, milk levels go down, hence why people tend to \u201cdry out\u201d when they wean or partially wean their babies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High levels of prolactin while lactating can affect fertility and menstruation. That\u2019s why you hear people talk about not being able to get pregnant again while they\u2019re lactating. While you might have a lower chance of getting pregnant while lactating, it\u2019s totally possible, so be sure to use precaution if you don\u2019t want another baby right away! <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If low levels of prolactin are affecting your milk supply, you can help to increase them by pumping and doing breast stimulation and eating certain herbs and foods like fenugreek, stinging nettle, and dark green vegetables.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Can You Have a Prolactin Imbalance?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prolactin levels vary at different times in people\u2019s lives, especially if they\u2019ve been pregnant or are lactating. Still, an imbalance in prolactin levels, whether low or high, can be a result of an underlying condition, no matter what your sex is. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s what a prolactin imbalance may look like:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>High Levels of Prolactin<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/pcos-polycystic-ovary-syndrome\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PCOS<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may have slightly higher prolactin levels, PCOS also can affect fertility.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High levels of prolactin can also result in the development of a condition called <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/galactorrhea\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20350431\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">galactorrhea<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which can cause a milky discharge from the nipples that isn\u2019t chest or breast milk. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People with excess prolactin who aren\u2019t lactating may experience absent or irregular periods, breast tenderness, fatigue, and low sex drive. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High prolactin levels can also be caused by hypothyroidism, a thyroid condition that causes low thyroid levels.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Low Prolactin Levels<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s not as common, low prolactin levels can also cause health issues. While rare, low prolactin levels are usually due to an underactive pituitary gland. Remember \u2013 the master gland that regulates prolactin production? <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It can also be caused by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/breast-implants-and-lactation\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">breast surgery<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that may cause nerve damage to the nipple that sends the signal to the brain to produce prolactin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other causes of low prolactin levels, especially for people who are lactating include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smoking<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obesity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depression<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your provider suspects a prolactin imbalance, they may give you a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/lab-tests\/prolactin-levels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">test<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to check the levels of it in your bloodstream. This can help determine if any underlying conditions are present or if you need further testing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The human body works in weird and wonderful ways to keep us moving and grooving through life. With so many intricate systems working in tandem with each other, it\u2019s a&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":20807,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.12 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Hormone Deep Dive: Prolactin - The Milk Hormone - Intimina<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/hormone-deep-dive-prolactin-the-milk-hormone\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Natasha Weiss\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/hormone-deep-dive-prolactin-the-milk-hormone\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/hormone-deep-dive-prolactin-the-milk-hormone\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Natasha Weiss\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b6c60ecf47ec06a36c4b2f175253c5ff\"},\"headline\":\"Hormone Deep Dive: Prolactin &#8211; The Milk Hormone\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-01-26T07:45:48+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-01-26T07:46:34+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/hormone-deep-dive-prolactin-the-milk-hormone\/\"},\"wordCount\":828,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"articleSection\":[\"Women's Health\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/hormone-deep-dive-prolactin-the-milk-hormone\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/hormone-deep-dive-prolactin-the-milk-hormone\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/hormone-deep-dive-prolactin-the-milk-hormone\/\",\"name\":\"Hormone Deep Dive: Prolactin - The Milk Hormone - Intimina\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2022-01-26T07:45:48+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-01-26T07:46:34+00:00\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/hormone-deep-dive-prolactin-the-milk-hormone\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Intimina\",\"description\":\"A Health and Wellness Resource for Women\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Intimina\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/INTIMINA_logo-02.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/INTIMINA_logo-02.png\",\"width\":1000,\"height\":543,\"caption\":\"Intimina\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/intimina\",\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intimina\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/intimina\/\",\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/intimina\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCR_3_GPO6pkhDiFU9TZRdYA\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b6c60ecf47ec06a36c4b2f175253c5ff\",\"name\":\"Natasha Weiss\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b65d7a92be626bc22ff8eb7ad41dbf0c?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b65d7a92be626bc22ff8eb7ad41dbf0c?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Natasha Weiss\"},\"description\":\"Natasha (she\/her) is a full-spectrum doula and health+wellness copywriter. 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