Homeopathic Remedies for High Prolactin

Prolactin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland (also called the master gland) which is situated at the base of the brain. Prolactin is also known as lactogenic hormone or milk hormone. The prolactin levels are considered high when they exceed the normal levels in blood of non pregnant females, non breastfeeding females and males. The medical term for this rise of prolactin levels is  hyperprolactinemia. Homeopathic remedies for high prolactin focus on treating the root cause leading to high prolactin levels and regulating the hormone to bring it to a  normal range. Both men and women usually have small amounts of prolactin in their blood.  

Prolactin plays a role in regulating periods in non-pregnant women. In women, prolactin levels normally increase during pregnancy and nursing. This helps in breast growth during pregnancy and production of milk after delivery for breast feeding the baby. Increase of prolactin is normal during pregnancy and breastfeeding but sometimes it can occur in non pregnant women or even in men due to other causes.

Homeopathic Remedies for High Prolactin 

Homoeopathic medicines carry a great scope to manage complaints that arise from high prolactin levels in males and females. These medicines focus to treat the root cause behind high prolactin levels to bring recovery in its complaint and also the prolactin levels in normal range. These medicines being of natural origin are perfectly safe to use, and have no side effects. These medicines can help both females and males having high prolactin levels.

For Irregular Periods and Amenorrhoea

1. Sepia

It is a very effective medicine for cases of irregular periods. Symptoms to use this medicine are late periods, sometimes appearing at a gap of three to four months. They are also scanty. Before periods, pain in the abdomen and back may appear. During periods there may be chilliness and sometimes fainting. Sometimes there appears vaginal discharge (leucorrhea) in place of menses. A peculiar symptom that may be present is a bearing down sensation in the pelvis as if the womb would force itself out of vagina.

2. Pulsatilla

This medicine is prepared from plant Pulsatilla Nigricans commonly known as Wind Flower. This plant belongs to the family Ranunculaceae. It is very beneficial for irregular periods and absence of periods. The menses are late and scanty where it is required. The menstrual flow also lasts for too short a time. The menstrual blood may be of a dark or blackish colour. During menses there may appear pain in abdomen and back, sometimes nausea and vomiting, headache and vision dimness. 

For Infertility

Cases of infertility can also be treated with homeopathic medicines. Among various medicines used in homeopathy to treat infertility the top grade medicines are Sepia, Natrum Mur, Borax, Conium and Calcarea Carb. The best suited medicine among them is selected after thorough case analysis. 

When Non Pregnant/Nursing Women have Milk Production (Galactorrhea)

1. Asafoetida

It is prepared from gum resin obtained by incision of the living root of plant Narthex Asafoetida. This plant belongs to the family umbelliferae. It is well-indicated when there is milk production in non-pregnant females. With this the breast is congested, distended and swollen. 

2. Cyclamen

This medicine is prepared from the root of the plant Cyclamen Europaeum commonly known as sow-bread. This plant belongs to the family Primulaceae. It is useful for non-pregnant females who have discharge of milk from their breasts. Swelling in breasts and a hard, tensed sensation with pain may appear.  Stitches may be felt in the breast. Mostly there is breast swelling with milk secretion after menses.

3. Pulsatilla

It is helpful when there is milk discharge from the breasts of girls before puberty. The breast gets fuller with production of milk which is thin white. The breasts are swollen with this. There is a pressing sensation and tension in the breast.

For Low Libido 

1. Sepia

It is a top listed medicine when there is decrease desire for sex in females. There is irritability even on thoughts of sex. The vagina feels dry and there may be pain during intercourse.

2. Lyssin

It is indicated when there is dislike for sexual intercourse following childbirth. Females needing it also have sensitive vaginas and complain of painful intercourse.

3. Onosmodium

Onosmodium is prepared from plant Onosmodium virginianum having the common name False Gromwell. This plant belongs to the family Boraginaceae. Its use is considered when sexual desire is completely lost in females.

For Dry Vagina and Painful Intercourse

1. Sepia

It is an excellent medicine for females who have a dry vagina and pain during intercourse. The sexual parts are also tender to touch, there is exhaustion after intercourse, and in some cases, bleeding. Sexual desire also tends to be low. 

2. Natrum Mur

It is also a prominent medicine for complaints of vaginal dryness and painful intercourse in females. With this burning and smarting sensation in vagina may also be present. The vagina is sore.  

For Breast Pain / Tenderness

1. Conium

Its use is mainly recommended when there is pain in the breast before and during periods. The pain worsens from least to jar and on walking. Stitches are felt in the breast. The breast feels swollen and sore.

2. Lac Can

It is indicated when there is pain in the breast with soreness and sensitivity to least pressure. A dull, constant, aching pain is felt in the breast and also engorgement of breasts may also occur. 

For Hot Flashes

1. Sepia

It gives wonderful results in cases of hot flashes. Females needing this experience sweating with hot flashes, weakness. There is also a tendency to faint.

2. Lachesis

It is also highly useful in the cases of hot flashes. There is marked heat on the top of the head. With this there may be palpitations, headaches and fainting spells.

3. Amylenum Nitrosum

It is considered when there are heat flashes in females which are followed by drenching sweats. Anxiety and palpitations are marked with this.

For Acne (Pimples)

1. Hepar Sulph

It is best suited for acne that has pus in it. The acne is painful where it is required. The pain is like prickling pain. The acne may also bleed easily.

2. Kali Bromatum

It is given in cases of acne that appear on face, shoulders and chest. The acne is itchy in these cases. They also leave scars on the skin. The acne gets worse before menses begin.

For Excessive Body and Facial Hair 

To manage this complaint the top listed medicines in homeopathy are Sepia, Oleum Jac and Thuja.

Homeopathic Remedies for High Prolactin Levels in Males 

For Low Libido 

1. Agnus Castus

This medicine is prepared from ripe berries of the plant The Chaste Tree belonging to the family Verbenaceae. It is well-indicated when males have decreased or almost complete absence of sexual desire. With this they may also have weak or no erections.

2. Nuphar Luteum

It is prepared from the fresh root of plant Yellow Pond Lily of family Nymphaeaceae.  It is very useful for males in whom sexual desire is completely absent.

3. Yohimbinum

This medicine is prepared from the bark of the Yumbe Hoa tree of the family Rubiaceae. It is another prominent medicine that act as a great aphrodisiac to boost sex drive in males and treat sexual weakness.

For Erectile Dysfunction

1. Agnus Castus

It is very effective when there are no erections and loss of sexual desire. The penis remains relaxed, flaccid and cold.

2. Caladium

It is prepared from the plant Caladium seguinum also called Arum Seguinum. This plant belongs to family Araceae. It is used when sexual desire is present but there are no erections. The penis remains relaxed despite sexual desire.

3. Lycopodium

This medicine is prepared from plant Lycopodium Clavatum commonly called Club Moss of family Lycopodiaceae. Its use is considered when the erections are weak and not perfect. There is also the complaint of premature ejaculation in males.

For Low Sperm Count

To help such cases, the top grade medicines are X-ray, Radium Bromatum and Agnus Castus.

Causes 

There are various causes for high prolactin levels.

1. The most common cause for elevated prolactin levels is a benign (I.e. non cancerous) tumour in the pituitary gland known as a prolactinoma which secretes excessive prolactin. Prolactinomas are more common in women as compared to men. As per a study about 50 percent of hyperprolactinemia cases are caused by prolactinomas
2. Second reason that can cause high levels of prolactin is diseases  (like infection, injury, tumour) of hypothalamus (small region of the brain located near the pituitary gland) 
3. Next causes for it include hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid gland which does not produce enough thyroid hormone), low blood sugar levels, anorexia nervosa (an eating disorder in which a person has excessive weight loss and there is fear of gaining weight and becoming fat) chronic kidney failure, cushing’s disease (a condition characterised by excessive release of adrenocorticotropic hormone, ACTH by the pituitary gland) and cirrhosis of liver (scarring of liver)
4. It can arise from use of certain medicines. These include antidepressants like clomipramine and desipramine, antipsychotics like haldol, risperdal, antihypertensives that control high blood pressure like Verelan, isoptin, acid H2 blockers like, birth control pills, opiate medicine used to relieve pain derived from opium.
5. Excessive use of certain herbs like fenugreek, fennel seeds.
6. Injuries or irritation of the chest wall (like from some surgical scar, shingles / herpes zoster). 
7. Extreme stress or exercise.
8. Sometimes no cause is found behind hyperprolactinemia.

Normal Range of Prolactin Levels

1. The normal range of prolactin in women who are not pregnant is less than 25 ng/mL.
2. The normal range of prolactin in women who are pregnant is between 34 – 386 ng/mL.
3. The normal range of prolactin in men is between 2 – 18 ng/mL.

Symptoms

Some females may have no symptoms from high prolactin. While in others symptoms can appear that vary from one female to another. It can lead to irregular periods, missed periods / having no periods (amenorrhoea), infrequent periods and change in menstrual flow. 

There can be a stoppage of ovulation from high prolactin leading to infertility. Next it can cause milk production in women who are not pregnant or not nursing medically called as galactorrhea, low libido (reduced interest in having sex) and dryness of vagina that can cause painful intercourse. 

Other symptoms include breast pain / tenderness, hot flashes, acne (pimples) and excessive body hair and unnatural growth of facial hair.

In men the symptoms of hyperprolactinaemia are low libido (reduced desire for sex), erectile dysfunction (in this a man is unable to achieve or maintain erection required for sexual intercourse), enlargement of breast (gynaecomastia) and rarely breast milk production. Other complaints that appear in them include decreased muscle mass, lack of body and facial hair, and low sperm count or zero sperm count.

Headaches and eye problems in case of pituitary tumours can appear in both males and females in addition to above symptoms.