Prolactin is a hormone from the pituitary gland. It is tested for irregular periods, infertility, milk discharge from the breast, or low libido. Levels naturally rise in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
| Measure | Range |
|---|---|
| Women (non-pregnant) | ≈ 4–23 ng/mL |
| Men | ≈ 3–15 ng/mL |
| Pregnancy / breastfeeding | naturally much higher |
Common causes are stress, certain medicines, an underactive thyroid, pregnancy/breastfeeding and a benign pituitary tumour (prolactinoma). The test is repeated and investigated as needed.
Levels rise with stress, exercise, sleep and breast stimulation, so labs often draw the sample later in the morning after resting. Follow your lab’s advice.
Yes. High prolactin can disturb ovulation and periods in women and lower testosterone in men, both of which can affect fertility — and it is often treatable.
Reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS. MedDroid is an AI medical assistant and can make mistakes. It provides general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice — always consult a qualified clinician. In an emergency, contact your local emergency number immediately.