What foods should I avoid with high prolactin levels?

November 15, 2025 •

3 min read

High prolactin levels, also known as hyperprolactinemia, affect approximately 10% of the population, often leading to hormonal imbalances. While medication is a primary treatment, understanding what foods should I avoid with high prolactin levels is a key complementary strategy for managing symptoms and supporting overall health.

Quick Summary

A diet low in sugar, processed foods, and certain herbs may help manage elevated prolactin levels. Specific food choices can influence hormonal balance and affect symptoms.

Key Points

Restrict Sugary Foods: High intake of refined sugars and simple carbs can destabilize blood sugar and increase prolactin levels through a stress response pathway.
Cut Back on Alcohol: Excessive drinking, especially beer due to its barley content, can interfere with dopamine and liver function, leading to elevated prolactin.
Limit Processed Foods: Packaged and fast foods often contain additives and unhealthy fats that can disrupt overall hormonal balance and increase inflammation.
Avoid Galactagogue Herbs: Some herbs and foods, like fenugreek and fennel, are known to stimulate prolactin production and should be avoided.
Manage Soy and Dairy Intake: Some individuals with hyperprolactinemia may benefit from limiting excessive intake of dairy or soy, which contain phytoestrogens.
Prioritize Lifestyle Factors: Alongside diet, stress management, adequate sleep, and moderate exercise are crucial for maintaining healthy prolactin levels.

The Role of Diet in Managing Prolactin

Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, responsible for milk production. Elevated levels, or hyperprolactinemia, can cause symptoms like irregular periods, infertility, and low libido. While the root cause should always be identified and treated by a healthcare professional, dietary changes can play a supporting role. The goal of dietary management is often to reduce inflammation, balance blood sugar, and avoid foods that may stimulate prolactin production. Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is particularly important, as fluctuations can trigger a stress response that influences hormonal balance.

Foods and Substances to Limit or Avoid

Certain foods and habits can either directly or indirectly impact prolactin levels and should be minimized, or in some cases, avoided entirely with medical guidance.

Sugary and Refined Foods

Foods high in refined sugar and simple carbohydrates can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar. These glycemic fluctuations can increase stress hormone levels (like cortisol), which can, in turn, influence prolactin.

Sugary sodas and juices
Baked goods and pastries
White bread, pasta, and rice
Candy and sugary snacks

Processed Foods and Unhealthy Fats

Processed foods are often packed with preservatives, additives, and trans fats that can interfere with the body's hormonal systems. A diet rich in these foods contributes to inflammation and can worsen hormonal imbalance.

Packaged and instant meals
Fast food
Hydrogenated and trans fats
Fried snacks and chips

Alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption, particularly beer, can disrupt hormone levels and has been shown to increase prolactin. It can affect liver function, which is crucial for hormonal regulation. Limiting or abstaining from alcohol is often recommended for those with high prolactin levels.

Galactagogues and Certain Herbs

Galactagogues are substances that promote lactation and are often found in herbal supplements and certain foods. For those seeking to lower prolactin, avoiding these is important.

Fenugreek
Fennel seeds
Oats (in high quantities)
Red clover
Barley (found in beer)

Excessive Dairy and Soy

While not all dairy is universally considered problematic, some individuals may find a reduction helpful. For example, excessive dairy consumption is sometimes linked to higher prolactin levels. In addition, soy contains phytoestrogens, which can mimic estrogen in the body and potentially affect hormone balance, especially when consumed in large amounts.

Excessive intake of milk, cheese, and yogurt
High consumption of soy-based products like tofu and edamame

Diet Comparison: Foods to Limit vs. Foods to Embrace

Making informed choices can help create a more balanced diet to support hormone health.


Foods to Limit/Avoid	Foods to Embrace/Incorporate
Refined sugars (sodas, candy)	Complex carbohydrates (whole grains, sweet potatoes)
Processed snacks (chips, cookies)	Fiber-rich foods (berries, flaxseeds, lentils)
Alcohol (especially beer)	Vitamin B6-rich foods (tuna, bananas, spinach)
High-gluten products (wheat, barley)	Zinc-rich foods (pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, cashews)
Galactagogue herbs (fenugreek, fennel)	Magnesium-rich foods (dark chocolate, almonds)
Excessive dairy and soy	Protein sources (chicken, beans, lentils)
Trans fats (fast food)	Healthy fats (avocados, olive oil, nuts)

Beyond Diet: Other Lifestyle Factors

Diet is one piece of the puzzle. Other lifestyle factors can significantly impact your prolactin levels.

Manage Stress: Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which can disrupt prolactin. Techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help.
Get Enough Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Poor sleep patterns can disrupt hormone production.
Moderate Exercise: While strenuous exercise can sometimes raise prolactin, moderate physical activity is beneficial for overall hormone balance.
Avoid Certain Medications: Some psychiatric and acid reflux medications can increase prolactin levels. Always consult your doctor about potential side effects.
Check Your Thyroid: Undiagnosed hypothyroidism can cause high prolactin levels. It is important to get thyroid function tested and treated if necessary.

Conclusion

Making targeted dietary adjustments can be a valuable part of a broader strategy for managing hyperprolactinemia. By reducing your intake of sugars, processed foods, alcohol, and certain herbs, you can support a healthier hormonal environment. However, diet is just one component. Lifestyle changes and working closely with your healthcare provider are essential for effective management. For more detailed information on the physiology of prolactin, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides valuable resources.(https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6304861/)

Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, excessive caffeine intake can affect the endocrine system and may contribute to hormonal imbalance, which can include affecting prolactin levels. It is often recommended to limit or moderate caffeine consumption if you have high prolactin.

Avoid herbal supplements and foods known as galactagogues, which are used to increase lactation. This includes fenugreek, fennel, red clover, and barley, as they can raise prolactin levels.

Avoiding gluten-rich foods like wheat and barley may help lower prolactin levels in some people, as high gluten content can trigger an inflammatory response. However, this is not a universal recommendation and should be discussed with a doctor.

Yes, psychological and physical stress can cause elevated prolactin levels. Chronic stress increases cortisol, a hormone that can indirectly raise prolactin.

Foods rich in Vitamin B6 (bananas, spinach, fish), zinc (nuts, seeds, legumes), and magnesium (almonds, dark chocolate) can be beneficial, as these nutrients support dopamine production and hormonal balance.

Not necessarily all, but excessive dairy intake has been linked to higher prolactin levels in some people. Monitoring your individual response and consulting a professional is best.

Processed foods often contain synthetic chemicals and trans fats that can interfere with hormone production and regulation. They also contribute to inflammation, which can affect the endocrine system.