Prolactin test for women — cycle irregularity, fertility, galactorrhoea.
Elevated prolactin is one of the most common — and most missed — drivers of irregular cycles, low libido, infertility and unexplained nipple discharge. It's also fixable, once it's measured.
Her Form draws prolactin at home, runs it through an accredited lab, and our health specialists interprets the result against your cycle and medication history. Robyn is available for an optional 1:1 consult.
What prolactin does (and what raises it)
Prolactin is made in the pituitary; its job is milk production but it also suppresses ovulation when high.
Common drivers of elevated prolactin: stress, sleep disruption, hypothyroidism, certain antidepressants and antipsychotics, and benign pituitary adenomas.
Symptoms of high prolactin include irregular or absent periods, low libido, infertility and milky nipple discharge (galactorrhoea).
Optimal prolactin for non-pregnant, non-lactating women sits <25 ng/mL; persistent elevation >50 ng/mL warrants imaging.
When to test prolactin
Morning draw (within 2–3 hours of waking) — prolactin peaks overnight and dips through the day.
Avoid breast stimulation, exercise and intercourse in the 12 hours before the draw — all transiently raise prolactin.
Cycle day 2–5 if you still cycle, but timing matters less than it does for FSH or estradiol.
The markers that clarify the picture
Fertility Insights Package
Optimize your fertility window with complete clarity.
- · AMH, FSH, LH, estradiol
- · Cycle-timed analysis
- · Pre-conception protocol
What is a normal prolactin level for women?+
Lab range is roughly 4.8–23 ng/mL for non-pregnant women. We treat >25 ng/mL as worth investigating, and >50 ng/mL as deserving repeat plus likely imaging.
What causes high prolactin?+
Stress, sleep disruption, hypothyroidism (low thyroid raises prolactin), SSRI/SNRI antidepressants, dopamine-blocking medications, and benign pituitary adenomas (prolactinomas).
Can high prolactin stop me getting pregnant?+
Yes — elevated prolactin suppresses GnRH, which stops ovulation. It's a treatable cause of infertility and is checked early in any fertility work-up.
Do I need to fast?+
No fast required, but draw should be morning, with no breast stimulation, exercise or intercourse in the prior 12 hours, all of which transiently raise prolactin.
Is a GP referral needed?+
No — Her Form is direct-to-consumer. We send a certified nurse to your home, ship samples to our accredited partner lab, and return results with a written review by our health specialists. Robyn is available for an optional 1:1 consult.
How long until I have my results?+
7–14 working days from draw, including written specialist review. Anything urgent is flagged the same day it lands.
References
- ESHRE — Female infertility guidelines — Evidence-based approach to female infertility work-up
- ASRM — Practice guidelines on ovarian reserve — AMH, FSH and ovarian reserve assessment
- RANZCOG — Fertility and subfertility management — Fertility investigations in ANZ clinical practice
- Jean Hailes — Fertility and ovulation — Cycle timing and fertility planning guidance
The references above are provided for educational purposes only. Her Form does not endorse any specific organisation, treatment, or guideline. Information on this page does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.