Prolactin's role in romantic love is limited; it's more accurately described as a hormone crucial for parental bonding.
Prolactin and Parental Bonding
Prolactin is significantly involved in parental care, both maternal and paternal. It plays a key role in developing the bond between parent and offspring. This is evidenced by its association with nurturing behaviors and the establishment of strong parent-infant attachments. [Source: Reference provided states: "Prolactin is associated with both maternal and paternal care and appears important in developing a bond between parent and infant."]
While oxytocin is often referred to as the "love hormone" and plays a role in romantic relationships, current research highlights a different function for prolactin. There is limited information available to determine its role in sustaining adult romantic relationships.
Key Differences:
- Prolactin: Primarily linked to parental care and infant bonding.
- Oxytocin: More strongly associated with romantic love, bonding, and social connection.
Therefore, while prolactin contributes significantly to the powerful bond between parents and their children, its involvement in romantic love is not as well-established. It's not accurate to label it solely as a "love hormone" given its more pronounced role in parental bonding.
