Prolactin and Fertility — What You Need to Know
By Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto | Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Wokingham
Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that is best known for stimulating milk production in breastfeeding women. However, elevated prolactin outside of the postpartum period (hyperprolactinaemia) is one of the more common and underdiagnosed causes of cycle irregularity, absent periods, and difficulty conceiving. In traditional Chinese medicine, excess prolactin is most commonly associated with liver qi stagnation — and responds well to liver-regulating treatment.
How Elevated Prolactin Affects Fertility
Prolactin suppresses GnRH from the hypothalamus, which in turn reduces LH and FSH. This disrupts the hormonal cascade needed for follicular development and ovulation — producing irregular or absent periods, anovulation, a short luteal phase with low progesterone, and difficulty conceiving. Symptoms may also include galactorrhoea (spontaneous milk production), headaches, and reduced libido. Any woman with irregular cycles or fertility difficulties should have prolactin checked as part of routine hormone testing.
TCM Understanding
In TCM, the liver governs the smooth flow of qi throughout the body. When liver qi stagnates — due to chronic stress, emotional tension, or irregular lifestyle — it can cause stagnation in the thoroughfare vessel, disrupting the normal hormonal cycle and causing excess secretion of certain hormones including prolactin. The liver meridian passes through the breast, which is why liver stagnation can also produce breast tenderness and galactorrhoea.
Treatment
Acupuncture with liver-regulating points — particularly LV 3, LV 2, and GB 34 — reduces liver qi stagnation and normalises prolactin levels. Research has shown significant reductions in prolactin following acupuncture in hyperprolactinaemic women. Chinese herbal medicine with formulas such as Xiao Yao San addresses the root pattern. Where prolactin is very high (above 1,000 mIU/L), a pituitary MRI to rule out microprolactinoma is warranted before treatment.
To discuss prolactin and fertility, contact me or book a consultation in Wokingham.
