Dear Friends, In Japan, the arrival of the harvest moon marks a time of serenity and contemplation. As we gaze up at its luminous glow, a sense of calm washes over us. This peaceful time is known as Tsukimi, the moon-viewing festival, where we relax eat dango and appreciate the beauty of the moon. Since…
Category: Health
Lowering Prolactin Naturally: What Helped Me (Vitex and P5P)
Updated April 2025 Dear Friends, I live with hyperprolactinemia. Over the years, I’ve explored various ways to support my body after treatment with Cabergoline. While Cabergoline worked very well to lower my prolactin levels, it didn’t suit me long-term. I experienced persistent nausea, a sense of disconnection from myself, and even nightmares. Some people choose…
How I Lowered High Cortisol: In Simple and Practical Steps
Dear Friends, Cortisol, often called the stress hormone, plays an essential role in our bodies. In the right amounts, it helps regulate metabolism, energy, and our response to stress. But when cortisol stays elevated for too long, often due to chronic stress, it can take a serious toll on health. For me, years of unresolved…
What is Hyperprolactinemia? Notes From Symptoms to Diagnosis (in Japan)
Dear Friends, When I first got diagnosed with hyperprolactinemia. I had never heard of it. For my own understanding, I spent hours online reading about it. Here’s a condensed summary of what I found out and what it’s like navigating this process in Japan. What Is Hyperprolactinemia? Hyperprolactinemia (kōu purorakuchin kesshō, 高プロラクチン血症) happens when the…
Diagnosing Hyperprolactinemia at 40: My Pandemic Year Journey
Dear Friends, As I celebrated turning forty, the coronavirus plunged Japan—and the world—into a phase of uncertainty and isolation. Like so many others, I tried to carry on. I kept working. I kept taking care of everyone else. I kept doing what I was supposed to do. But I wasn’t feeling like myself. Not at…