From the Research
Progesterone therapy may have a mild impact on prolactin levels, but the effect is typically not significant enough to cause clinically relevant hyperprolactinemia. The relationship between progesterone and prolactin is complex, and while some studies suggest that progesterone can influence prolactin secretion, the effect is generally mild compared to estrogen's influence on prolactin 1. Common progesterone medications, such as oral micronized progesterone (Prometrium, 100-200mg daily) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera, 2.5-10mg daily), may lead to modest increases in prolactin secretion in some individuals. However, the most recent and highest quality study on this topic is not directly available, but based on the provided evidence, it appears that progesterone's impact on prolactin levels is not a major concern in most cases 2. Some key points to consider include:
- Progesterone can influence prolactin by affecting dopamine pathways in the hypothalamus, which normally inhibit prolactin release 3.
- The effect of progesterone on prolactin levels is typically mild and may not be clinically significant in most cases 4.
- If you're taking progesterone and experiencing symptoms like irregular periods, breast milk production, or reduced libido, your healthcare provider can check your prolactin levels and adjust your treatment if necessary. It's essential to note that the provided evidence does not directly address the question of whether progesterone therapy impacts prolactin levels, but rather provides information on the relationship between progesterone and prolactin in various contexts. Therefore, the decision to use progesterone therapy should be based on individual patient needs and medical history, rather than concerns about prolactin levels.