Category: Prolactin

  • 4 Best Prolactin Inhibitors: Reduce Refractory Period and Increase Libido

    4 Best Prolactin Inhibitors: Reduce Refractory Period and Increase Libido

    You need prolactin inhibitors – that’s something you’ll have to accept if you wish to reach peak health. Without its help, your testosterone level could suffer (and you should know by now that the primary male hormone greatly affects libido, mood, and vitality).

    Keep in mind that a high prolactin level is only needed by women, particularly whenever they have to breastfeed. As for men, it’s still unknown whether the hormone serves any real purpose – even if it does though, having prolactin (PRL) at low levels should be enough.

    So, what can you do to keep your serum prolactin minimal and protect yourself from dips in testosterone levels? Well, there are several supplements that can help you achieve that – and you’re going to learn all about them, including their pros and cons, right in this article.

    Vitamin E

    1. Vitamin E: It’s Not Just an Antioxidant

    Compared to many other supplements that can serve as a prolactin inhibitor, vitamin E is much cheaper and a lot safer.That doesn’t mean it’s not effective though – it’s capable of reducing serum prolactin level by more than 60 percent.

    What makes Vitamin E great is that it doesn’t interfere with beneficial hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone.

    By using pregnenolone cream or pregnenolone supplements, the levels of the compound in the body increases, and this brings about various benefits such as fatigue relief, and delay of the aging process.

    You won’t have to worry about adjusting your other supplements and any of your hormone-boosting habits when taking Vitamin E.

    No matter how impressive the vitamin is, we’ll have to remind you that there’s still much to learn about it – and we’re not only talking about potency. Experts are merely starting to uncover how the vitamin interferes with central prolactin secretion.

    Fortunately, there’s nothing to worry about in terms of safety. You’ll be fine as long as you don’t take more than 300 IU daily– go past that and you might end up experiencing side effects like headache, nausea, fatigue, and even blurred vision.

    2. SAMe: Prevents Prolactin Release

    S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAMe) is typically taken by those suffering from depression, liver disease, or arthritis. It has been recently discovered though, that the compound is more than capable of lowering the milk-production hormone.

    Taking SAMe for two weeks might actually be enough to cause a significant reduction in plasma prolactin. What makes SAMe really interesting, however, is that it doesn’t directly interfere with hormone production – it targets the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) instead.

    TRH is mainly responsible for stimulating the anterior pituitary to release prolactin. SAMe makes that part of the pituitary gland much less responsive towards TRH, which in turn results to a drop in the amount of prolactin that gets released into the bloodstream.

    Despite being among the most potent prolactin inhibitors though, SAMe isn’t perfect. Nausea and stomach upset are among its common side effects, and there’s a small chance that you’ll get too stimulated by it –not taking more than 1,200 milligrams daily should keep you away from these problems.

    Vitamin B6

    3. Vitamin B6: Unlocking It’s  Potential

    Taking vitamin B6 is another excellent way of solving concerns associated with an elevated prolactin level.The micronutrient acts by mimicking dopamine (a chemical neurotransmitter), allowing it to inhibit prolactin secretion.

    The dopamine agonist also triggers the release of growth hormone. That’s something you should want, especially since it accelerates fat metabolismand prevents muscle loss – that, by extension, means that you’ll have an easier time attaining (and maintaining) your ideal physique.

    In addition to stimulating dopamine receptor sites, vitamin B6 comes with several other noteworthy benefits. Taking relatively high doses of the micronutrient should improve not only your blood pressure and mood, but also your blood sugar levels.

    If you’re often at the gym, you’ll probably need more than 200 milligrams of the vitamin daily. You need to watch out for side effects, however, like numbness (most often in the leg area), loss of balance, and allergy – although the first two are usually resolved by stopping your intake.

    4. Bromocriptine & It’s Risks

    Taking bromocriptine is another way of tricking your body into thinking that it has reached a high dopamine level (and thus, should stop from releasing the hormone prolactin). It’s actually classified as a drug and is mainstream medicine’s answer to hyperprolactinemia.

    Given that it suppresses the lactogenic hormone, it can help resolve issues with male mammary gland development – which, as you’ve probably guessed, is another effect of having excessive amounts of prolactin in the bloodstream.

    While it’s true that bromocriptine is much more potent than vitamin B6, we can’t recommend the former due to the side effects associated with it. Taking it could make you suffer from issues likeheartburn, depression, and fatigue – which are enough to affect your sense of well-being.

    Those aren’t the only things you’ll be worrying about though. The drug can also cause fainting, hallucinations, vomiting (blood), swelling throughout the body’s lower regions, and seizures – regardless of the things you do on a daily basis, suddenly experiencing any of those can put your life at risk.

    Prolactin inhibitors blood test

    Side Effects of High Prolactin Levels

    At this point, you know enough about some of the best options available for limiting prolactin receptor activity. However, you might still be wondering whether you should really worry about the hormone and its effects – well, there are signs that highlight the need for action.

    For the typical man, sexual function and desire become problematic when prolactin levels stay elevated.

    By using pregnenolone cream or pregnenolone supplements, the levels of the compound in the body increases, and this brings about various benefits such as fatigue relief, and delay of the aging process.

    Erectile dysfunction, loss of facial or body hair, a rise in estrogen levels, and even infertility might indicate a problem with the hormone’s abundance.

    Don’t forget that prolactin-release abnormalities have also been associated with Parkinson’s Disease. Clearly though, you don’t have to wait until you’ve checked all the signs – it’s best to act right away and be proactive about your health.

    Besides, instead of merely checking for concerns usually linked with high prolactin levels, you could visit your doctor and ask to have your blood tested. While the procedure’s simple, do note that you should have it done not more than four hours upon waking up.

    Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

    Most of the prolactin inhibitors we listed here are micronutrients that you should be supplementing with in the first place. Even though they can trigger mild side effects, they offer other remarkable benefits – and truth be told, you’ll have a hard time searching for much safer alternatives.

  • Elevated Prolactin Levels: How to Avoid Them and Get Rid of Gynecomastia

    Elevated Prolactin Levels: How to Avoid Them and Get Rid of Gynecomastia

    ​Hormones are amazing substances. They control your cells, organs and ultimately your brain and body function. Normally, hormones go about their business “under the radar” and your body operates as it should. However, sometimes, hormone levels become unbalanced and that can lead to problems, for example elevated prolactin levels.

    Most hormones have equal-but-opposite counterparts. When the levels of one hormone increases, it’s opposite decreases. This is where the trouble starts.

    Hormone imbalances can knock you out of homeostasis – the medical term for a body in  balance. For example, if estrogen levels increase, testosterone levels decrease and any man who cares about his health, vitality, and libido knows that lowered testosterone is nothing but bad news.

    While most men have heard of testosterone and its evil counterpart, estrogen, far fewer would have heard of an equally unwanted hormone that can also drive testosterone levels south. Its name is prolactin.

    What Is Prolactin?

    prolactin definition, also known as PRL hormone, is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland and is so-named because it has a role in mammalian lactation. Prolactin levels in women is vital so they can produce breast milk, high prolactin in men can contribute to lowered testosterone. Also, if you suffer from hyperprolactinaemia, the scientific term for elevated prolactin levels, you have an increased risk of developing gynecomastia – better known as man boobs.

    gynecomastia

    High Prolactin Symptoms

    If you have excess and hard-to-shift fat around your chest, painful nipples, difficulty losing weight, experience loss of libido or erectile dysfunction, or are suffering from any other condition commonly associated with decreased testosterone, you are experiencing the symptoms of elevated prolactin. You could submit to a prolactin test to verify that you have high prolactin levels but this is not always necessary when the symptoms are obvious. Nipples and libido issues are common signs.

    Elevated prolactin level can also be caused by a prolactinoma which is a type of tumor in the pituitary gland. This is usually diagnosed by MRI and while rare, is something to consider if you continue to suffer high prolactinoma symptoms after putting the advice of this article into practice. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns.

    How to Lower Prolactin Levels

    Lowering your prolactin hormone levels will result in elevated testosterone levels and if you want to feel more manly, virile, and energetic, this is a must. You don’t even need to know if your prolactin levels are actually elevated – it’s better not to take the risk!

    In addition, many of the things you can do to lower prolactin levels are linked to improved health and elevated testosterone levels so it’s less of a question why do it, but why not?

    Supplement With Ashwagandha

    Ashwagandha is an Indian medicinal herb known for its ability to fight stress. Known as an adaptogen, ashwagandha can help elevate testosterone and research also reveals that it can significantly lower your prolactin levels. You can read more about Ashwagandha in our article covering it in detail here.

    With so many ashwagandha supplements available, it can be hard to know which ones to choose but we recommend Banyan Botanicals Ashwagandha Powder because of its purity and value for money.

    Use Kapikacchu Powder

    Kapikacchu powder is a tropical legume also known as Mucuna Pruriens. From the Himalayas, it has been used since ancient times in Ayurvedic medicine, most commonly as a Parkinson’s disease treatment and for overall brain health. However, it is also a known treatment for lowering prolactin levels because of its high content of a substance called L-dopa which naturally increase dopamine levels.

    Increase Dopamine Levels

    Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is produced when you feel good and that makes you feel good. Increased dopamine levels reduce stress and therefore can help to produce normal prolactin levels. Studies reveal that increased dopamine can lead to lowered prolactin levels in people suffering from hyperprolactinemia.

    Dopamine is produced naturally, when you sleep and after sex for example, but levels can also be elevated through the use of supplements such as Dopa Mucuna. We  have made an ultimate guide to dopamine supplements to cover this area in detail.

    Increase Vitamin E Consumption

    Vitamin E has been shown to lower prolactin levels by an astounding 69%. Vitamin E is present in a wide range of foods including:

    • Almonds
    • Sunflower seeds and sunflower oil
    • Avocados and avocado oil
    • Olives and olive oil
    • Broccoli
    • Squash and pumpkin
    • Kiwi fruit
    • Dark, leafy green vegetables

    Vitamin E is also available in supplement form and while no supplement can match real food, this one comes very close and is highly recommended.

    St. John’s Wort

    St. John’s Wort is a herb that has long been used as a natural anti-depressant and treatment for stress. Available in supplement form, some studies suggest that St. John’s Wort may lower prolactin levels.

    However, do not take Mucuna Pruriens (Kapikacchu, L-dopa) together with St John Wort as these two substances interact badly.

    Get More Vitamin B6

    Vitamin B6 (also known as pyridoxine) has been shown to significantly lower prolactin levels. The richest sources of vitamin B6 include fish, beef liver and other organ meats, potatoes and other starchy vegetables and fruit (other than citrus). If you don’t eat a lot of these foods, a B6 supplement will help.

    Eat More High-Zinc Foods

    Seafood such as oysters as well as red meat and poultry are all high in zinc. Zinc is great for your immune system and also essential for testosterone and sperm production. Studies reveal that zinc is a powerful effect on lowering prolactin levels.

    While you can take a zinc supplement, getting your zinc from “real food” is generally a better and more enjoyable choice.

    Get Plenty of Sleep

    Sleep is essential for virtually every process in your body including the normalization of hormone levels. Ideally, you should be getting 6-9 hours of sleep per night.

    Lack of sleep has been shown to increase prolactin levels so make sure you go to bed early enough to get a decent night’s sleep every night. While you are there, try and have sex too as this will increase dopamine levels, elevate testosterone levels, lower prolactin levels further, and help you sleep!

    Conclusion

    Lower prolactin levels will elevate testosterone levels naturally and without having to resort to testosterone-raising drugs such as Clomid and HCG, which often have unwanted side effects.

    While you can lower prolactin levels using medications such as Gabapentin, which increases dopamine, it’s far healthier to try and control your prolactin levels naturally.