Educational information from Her Form — reviewed for accuracy by our health specialists.
Not a substitute for personal medical advice. Optional 1:1 consults with Robyn, our consulting women's-health specialist, are available on request.
What it is
Prolactin enables lactation. Outside of pregnancy and breastfeeding, persistently high prolactin can block ovulation and cause irregular cycles.
Why it matters for women
Elevated prolactin is a treatable cause of infertility, irregular periods and unexplained galactorrhea (milky discharge). Stress, certain medications and pituitary adenomas can raise it.
Optimal range
Non-pregnant: 5–20 ng/mL.
Standard lab range
Lab ranges run up to 25–30.
When it's high
- ↑Irregular cycles or amenorrhea
- ↑Galactorrhea
- ↑Headaches, vision changes (rare)
- ↑Low libido
When it's low
- ↓Usually not relevant in practice
References
- Endocrine Society — Female hormone health— Sex hormone assessment and interpretation in women
- Jean Hailes for Women's Health— Comprehensive women's hormone health guidance
- RANZCOG — Women's health guidelines— ANZ clinical standards for reproductive-age women
- NICE — Women's health guidelines— Evidence-based hormone and reproductive health guidance
References are provided for educational context only. Always interpret results with a qualified healthcare professional.
A note on interpretation. Ranges above are what our health specialists works to in healthy women. They are not a diagnosis — a single result always needs context from your symptoms, cycle phase and other markers.