What is galactorrhea?
Galactorrhea occurs when there is milky secretion or leakage from the nipples. It is not associated with milk production during breastfeeding. The leakage can happen in one or both breasts. The breasts may discharge milk when they are stimulated either through touching, extended suckling, during sexual intercourse, friction by bra or ill-fitted clothes, or on their own. While it can affect both women and men, women are more disposed to having galactorrhea; particularly women between the ages of 20 and 35*. It can also happen in infants; 2% to 5% of neonates because of precipitous drop in maternal estrogen and progesterone postdelivery.
While unexpectedly seeing what looks like milk coming out your nipples can be alarming, it’s often nothing to worry about. But in rare cases, it may be a sign of an underlying condition that needs treatment.
Symptoms of Galactorrhea
The main symptom of galactorrhea is a milky white discharge from one or both nipples.
Other related symptoms include:
- An absence of menstrual periods or irregular periods.
- Headaches.
- Trouble with vision.
- Increased thirst
- Decreased sex drive.
Causes
Galactorrhea is usually due to excessive prolactin secretion (hyperprolactinemia). Prolactin is the hormone responsible for milk production when you have a baby. Prolactin is produced by your pituitary gland, a small bean-shaped gland at the base of your brain that secretes and regulates several hormones.
Possible causes of galactorrhea include:
- Medications, such as certain sedatives, antidepressants, antipsychotics and high blood pressure drugs
- Oral contraceptives
- Use of obnoxious substances like marijuana, cocaine and opioids
- Miscarriage or abortion after 10 weeks or more of pregnancy
- A noncancerous pituitary tumor (prolactinoma) or other disorder of the pituitary gland
- Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
- Chronic kidney disease
- Excessive breast stimulation, which may be associated with sexual activity, frequent breast self-exams with nipple manipulation or prolonged clothing friction
- Spinal cord surgery, injury or tumors
- Stress
How is galactorrhea diagnosed?
Galactorrhea may be a sign of an underlying health issue, so it’s important to work with a doctor to ascertain the cause.
- A physical examination may be carried out. Your doctor will likely see how your nipple responds to being stimulated, and see if that causes more discharge to come out. Your breasts may also be examined for any signs of tumor.
- Hormonal assay test can be done. To test your prolactin and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels.
- A mammogram or ultrasound can help to identify unusual lumps or breast tissue.
- A pregnancy test can be carried out.
How is galactorrhea treated?
Treating galactorrhea depends on the cause. The condition may resolve on its own sometimes without treatment. You can take medicines to decrease or stop prolactin by increasing your levels of dopamine. They can also help to regulate your prolactin levels. It also helps treat conditions such as hypothyroidism. If medication doesn’t seem to work or the tumor is too large, surgery may be carried out to remove it.
Living with Galactorrhea
- Avoid wearing tight clothes that will irritate your nipples
- Avoid all forms of breast stimulation especially during sexual intercourse
- Wear comfortable bras and nipple pads to absorb the milky discharge
- Don’t do breast self-examination more than once a month
*https://www.healthline.com/health/galactorrhea