*None of the below information is medical advice. Nothing in this post is meant to take the place of medical advice from a doctor or health professional. I am not a doctor, I am only sharing my personal experience, personal research I have done and information I have inferred. Please see my disclaimer for more information.*
Living with a prolactinoma can be easy and challenging. Like all chronic conditions, it can add stress and complications to your daily life, affecting mood and energy levels. There are ways to manage a prolactinoma, both natural and conventional. Sadly, there is not a lot of information about the causes of prolactinomas, and living with one can cause a trickle effect of issues. There is hope though and many ways to live a full and happy life even with a prolactinoma.

What is a Prolactinoma?
A prolactinoma is a benign tumor. It is located in the pituitary gland and secretes the hormone prolactin. The pituitary gland is part of the endocrine system and normally prolactin is produced in the anterior pituitary gland. For women, the production of prolactin is increased during pregnancy and nursing. A prolactinoma is the most common type of tumor that can develop in the pituitary gland effecting mostly women. Symptoms associated with a prolactinoma include high levels of prolactin, other hormone imbalances, irritability, infertility, amenorrhea, osteoporosis, headaches, and vision issues.
My Prolactinoma Story
Ten years ago I was diagnosed with a prolactinoma. Before my diagnosis, I experienced symptoms like: acne, an inability to handle stress, mood swings, loss of appetite, headaches, and amenorrhea. Eventually, I ended up at the doctor, having blood work where it was discovered that my prolactin levels were over quadruple the average level amounts. Next came an MRI to confirm that I did have a 5mm tumor. It was a very overwhelming time and even now, living with a prolactinoma can cause an overwhelming amount of emotions.
Immediately I was given a conventional treatment, Cabergoline, to shrink the tumor. Some of my symptoms did subside and I started to feel more like myself again until experiencing side effects from the medicine. One of the main symptoms I experienced was acid reflux, something I had never struggled with before.
After getting married my husband and I wanted to try and have a baby. I was not comfortable with being on a medication while trying to conceive and since I was experiencing symptoms from the medication I decided to stop it for a while. My endocrinologist did not agree with my decision but it was the choice I felt the most comfortable making.
After some time I was listening to an audiobook, Feeding You Lies by Vani Hari, where I learned all about the unnecessary toxins that can be found in our standard American diet. I share this with you now, because it is a huge part of my health journey and one of the reasons I became a holistic nutritionist. I was immediately hooked and enthralled with all of the information I was learning in the book. Many toxins in our food are endocrine disruptors so my husband and I decided to try eating cleaner foods to see if it helped me. Later on, I had more blood work done and my prolactin levels continued to decrease even though I wasn’t on conventional medicine. Shortly after I became pregnant and by God’s grace was able to have a healthy baby, even though my doctor said having a baby at all was unlikely for me.
Now, in the season after having a baby I am again experiencing high prolactin levels and symptoms. After trying many natural remedies: acupuncture, herbs, stress management, and diet changes I have chosen to take a low dose of Cabergoline. For several reasons, what worked for me initially is not working now and I have to be flexible with my treatment. As a holistic nutritionist, it is hard for me to use conventional medicines but they do have a purpose and can be very helpful.
Living with a prolactinoma is different for everyone. My goal is for it to one day be completely gone and to understand its root cause. For me, I have noticed a huge link between it and stress. Which one causes which I am still unsure but it is very helpful for me and my overall well-being to find ways to manage stress levels. Some things that I find beneficial are: quiet time, exercise, Epsom salt baths, a lighter schedule, and diet changes that I will discuss more below.
The Link Between Stress and a Prolactinoma
Stress and prolactin are linked. Research shows that stress, chronic or acute can raise your prolactin levels. When the body experiences stress, it activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, releasing cortisol, a stress hormone. This surge in cortisol can stimulate the release of prolactin, often through the action of dopamine, which usually inhibits prolactin secretion. The relationship between stress and prolactin is a feedback loop, constantly affecting each other. I have found little evidence showing that prolactinomas are caused by stress but in my experience stress is a large part of living with a prolactinoma, whether it is the cause or not.

How to Manage Stress with a Prolactinoma
- Support your body with real food, learn more below.
- Get adequate sunlight throughout the day.
- Exercise regularly, but keep it simple with walks, yoga and weights.
- Get quality sleep.
- Take quiet time for yourself.
How to Use Real Food to Support Your Body
Real, nutrient-dense foods help the body cope with the stress of living with a prolactinoma by providing the essential vitamins and minerals needed to support the nervous system, hormone balance, and overall well-being. Choosing clean, quality foods is also important, to ensure you are not taking in toxins that can hinder the functions of your endocrine system. Choose organic produce, grass-fed and pasture-raised meats, pasture-raised eggs, grass-fed, raw dairy, and quality sugars like honey and coconut sugar. Consuming adequate amounts of quality protein and fat is another way to support your body when living with a prolactinoma. A great breakfast might include: pasture-raised eggs, local pasture-raised sausage, seasonal fruit, and sourdough bread with grass-fed butter. Lastly, limit caffeine intake, only consume it after eating, and support your adrenal gland with an adrenal cocktail.
Prolactinoma Treatments
The conventional treatment for a prolactinoma are dopamine agonist medications like Cabergoline. Cabergoline helps to activate dopamine receptors, in turn telling the pituitary gland to produce less prolactin, helping to shrink the prolactinoma. In my experience it is effective. It can have side effects, which are different for each individual. Other, natural treatments for living with a prolactinoma include the use of herbs like Vitex and vitamin B6. I have also incorporated acupuncture into my healing routine and did see some success combining it with other treatments. Whichever route you choose it is important to find a professional who can assist you. Sadly, there is little information available about natural treatments for a prolactinoma, at least that I have found, but finding a doctor or healthcare professional who is willing to explore treatments with you is important.
FAQ’s
Can you live a normal life with a pituitary tumor? Yes, you can live a normal life even if you have a pituitary tumor. It is important to know your physical and emotional needs and limits, give yourself grace and find the right treatment. Many people, including myself, live a very normal life and are able to have healthy children.
How do you shrink a prolactinoma? The most common way to shrink a prolactinoma is to take a medicine like Cabergoline that works to lower prolactin levels. Some also find success in shrinking a prolactinoma with herbs and supplements.
Can you shrink a pituitary tumor naturally? In my experience you can use natural treatments like herbs, vitamins, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine to help shrink a pituitary tumor naturally.
What foods should you avoid if you have a prolactinoma? There are no specific foods that you have to avoid if you have a prolactinoma but I, personally, avoid eating foods regularly that can increase prolactin levels like oats. Even more important though is to eat a balanced diet full of real foods that will support your body’s stress response and healing.
Encouragement for Living with a Prolactinoma
Living with any chronic health issue is challenging. With a prolactinoma, finding the balance of treatment, stress management and support can be so helpful for your overall well-being and quality of life. It can be done and once you get into a routine life can become much easier. My prayer is that one day my prolactinoma will be completely gone but for now the most important things I do for myself are to support my body with real foods and manage stress. If you would like to learn more about how to support your body and health with real foods, I am taking 1:1 clients and would love to speak with you.
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