Hyperprolactinemia


Women with hyperprolactinemia have high levels of the prolactin, a
hormone that stimulates the production of milk. For many women, this
coincides with deficiencies in hormones that cause ovulation. As a result,
women with this condition may not ovulate.


Causes of Hyperprolactinemia

Hypothyroidism

Pituitary Tumors

Macroprolactinemia

Prolactinoma

Luteal Phase Defect


Symptoms Associated with Hyperprolactinemia

High levels of prolactin

Infertility

Amenorrhea (a condition in which a woman does not menstruate or has
stopped menstruating)

Oligomenorrhea (a condition in which a woman experiences menstruation
at intervals that are greater than 35 days, and has between 4 and 9
periods each year)

Galactorrhea (a condition in which milk spontaneously flows from the
breast in the absence of childbirth)


Herbal Treatment of Hyperprolactinemia

Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus L.)

Scientific Evidence from Clinical Trials

In a random, double-blind, placebo controlled trial involving 52 women with
latent hyperprolactinemia, which was causing luteal phase defect, 20mg of
agnus-castus was given each day. Within three months, the tests group's
prolactin levels had decreased, luteal phases returned to the normal
ranges, and deficiencies in progesterone were eliminated when
compared to the placebo group (Milewicz A, Gejdel E, Sworen H, et al:
1993).


References

Milewicz, A Gejdel E, Sworen H, et al. 1993. "Vitex agus-castus extract in
the treatment of luteal phase defects due to latent hyperprolactinemia:
Results of a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study."
Arzneimittelforschung. 43(7): 752-66.



An outline of clinical studies that verify the effectiveness of herbal medications and supplements