Galactorrhea

Galactorrhea






Galactorrhea is a condition in which there would be milky discharge from the nipples. It is not usual milk production while breast feeding the baby and it can occur in men and even on children. Very often this condition is observed in women but sometimes it can develop on men. Any problem in the pituitary gland and adverse effect of certain medicines can cause this disorder. The milk like secretion occurs when there is increased production of prolactin hormone which in turn triggers milk secretion.

Symptoms :

There would be milky secretion from the nipples causing wetness on the breast area. It may occur either on both the breasts or on one side and there may be continuous milk production or irregular secretion of milk from the nipple. Again the milk secretion occur spontaneously or when the person manually press the breast to take out the milk.

Women affected with galactorrhea may have irregular periods and sometimes the menstrual cycles are totally absent. She may be under the treatment for hormone problem and continuously using medications.

In rare cases, there would be yellowish or reddish secretion from the nipples which is indicative of Breast Cancer.

Causes :

Very often, this disorder is caused due to hormonal imbalance. Prolactin hormone is produced in excess triggering milk secretion. It is the hormone that is responsible for lactation when a woman becomes pregnant. Pituitary gland induces the production of this hormone at regular intervals whenever there is a need for breastfeeding the child.

Chronic emotional stress and prolonged usage of herbal products like fenugreek seeds and fennel can trigger milky secretion.

People who are using birth control pills for long periods or using tranquilizers or anti-Depression drugs for long can have this problem. Hypothyroidism can trigger prolactin hormone producing milk. People with chronic kidney problem and those with tumor in the pituitary gland can get galactorrhea.

In rare cases, excessive stimulation of the breast and wearing friction producing clothing on the breast area can cause milk secretion. Sometimes, the exact cause may not be known and the person becomes sensitive to prolactin triggering milky discharge.

In men galactorrhea is observed in people with deficiency of testosterone and with erectile dysfunction problem. Men who are addicted to illicit drugs like heroin and marijuana can also face this problem. Milk discharge is also seen on newborn child who have got high estrogen level through his mother.

Diagnoses :

Your doctor will physically examine the breast to identify any lumps in the breast area. He may also make analysis of the milky fluid to verify any trace of blood. For many people, blood test is done for checking the levels of prolactin hormone and TSH level.

In rare cases, MRI testing is done for ruling out any abnormal tumor in pituitary gland.

Treatment :

Galactorrhea can be treated well if your doctor could find out the underlying cause. In case you are using powerful medications that trigger milk secretion, then you can consult your doctor to switchover to alternative medication. If the problem is due to hypothyroidism, you need to take levoThyroxine to lower the hormone secretion.

Whatever may be the cause; your doctor will have to obstruct the levels of prolactin hormone that produces milky secretion. If pituitary tumor is identified, it should be shrunk or surgically removed.

In case if none of the above therapy responds then your doctor may consider surgery for removing the milk ducts permanently. Since the situation can be embarrassing for the person, surgery is the last option for stopping the milky discharge from the nipple.

Lifestyle Modification :

Very often, the condition of galactorrhea will reduce on its own without starting any treatment. However you can reduce the chance of milky secretion by not touching the nipples while having sex and by wearing loose clothing on your breasts for reducing friction on your nipples. For getting temporary relief you can use breast pads that would absorb leakage effectively.

Galactorrhea – Treatment, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Medications

Galactorrhea – Treatment, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Medications

What is Galactorrhea?

This is a problem where there is a milky nipple discharge from the breast which is not related to the normal production of milk for breast feeding. It is not a disease but it is a sign of an underlying problem. It does occur mostly in women, but galactorrhea can occur in men as well and even in infants.

Some conditions that contribute to galactorrhea include excessive stimulation of the breast, disorders of the pituitary gland or the side effects of medication. It often results from levels of prolactin which are increased. Prolactin is the hormone that stimulates the production of milk.

In some cases, the reason for galactorrhea cannot be found and the condition goes away on its own.

Galactorrhea Symptoms

Symptoms and signs which are linked to galactorrhea consist of:

• Intermittent or persistent discharge from the nipple that is milky and has no blood traces


• Both or only one breast affected


• Irregular or absent menstrual periods


• Manually expressed or spontaneously leaked nipple discharge


• Vision or Headache problems

If an individual has a nipple discharge which is persistent and milky, from both or only one breast and the individual is not breast-feeding or pregnant, then it is time to see a primary care physician.

If any stimulation of the breast activates a discharge from the nipple from several ducts, then there is slight reason to be concerned. This discharge possibly does not signal cancer of the breast but it should be seen by a physician for a complete examination.

Discharge which is non-milky, especially if any discharge is yellow, clear or bloody and is taking place from only one duct does require a critical medical assessment, as it can be a symptom of an underlying cancer of the breast.

Galactorrhea Causes

Often galactorrhea results because of prolactin in amounts too high – which is the hormone accountable for the production of milk after a woman delivers a baby. Normally prolactin is produced and regulated by the pituitary gland which is a gland that is marble-sized at the base of the brain which manages several hormones.

Probable reasons for galactorrhea consist of:

• Certain drugs, such as some tranquilizers, medicines for Blood Pressure which is high as well as anti-depressants


• Birth control pills


• Herbal supplement for instance anise, fenugreek seed or fennel


• An underactive thyroid – Hypothyroidism


• A non-cancerous pituitary tumor – Prolactinoma – or additional problems with the pituitary gland


• Kidney disease which is chronic


• Breast stimulus which is excessive, and can be linked to sexual action, breast self-exams that are frequent, prolonged clothing friction or a skin rash on the chest


• Spinal cord surgery, tumors or injury


• Damage to nerves in the wall of the chest from chest surgery, chest injuries or burns.

Idiopathic Galactorrhea
Often physicians cannot find any reason for galactorrhea. It is then referred to as “idiopathic galactorrhea” that the tissue of the breast is very sensitive to prolactin hormone for milk-producing and is in the blood. If this is the case, even prolactin levels which are normal may cause galactorrhea.

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Galactorrhea in Men
In some males, this condition may be related to the deficiency of testosterone (male hypogonadism) and normally is accompanied with tenderness of the breast or enlargement (Gynecomastia). Loss of sexual drive as well as erectile dysfunction can be associated with a deficiency of testosterone.

Galactorrhea in newborns
This often happens in new born babies. High estrogen levels which are maternal flow cross the placenta into the blood of the baby’s. This may cause tissue enlargement in the breast of the baby’s and can be linked with a nipple discharge which is milky.

Galactorrhea Diagnosis

Trying to find any underlying reason for galactorrhea may be a task which is very complex since there many possibilities.

Tests can involve the following:

• A physical exam by a physician where he/she might attempt to prompt some of the fluid from the nipple by squeezing it gently or pressing around the area of the nipple in order to decide if the discharge can be replicated. The physician will also check for any lumps in the breast or other areas suspicious of breast tissue which is thickened


• Fluid analysis of any nipple discharge. The physician can do a test which is very simple on the discharge in order to determine whether there is any blood existing in the fluid.


• Blood test checking for the quantity of prolactin in the system. If the level of prolactin is elevated, the physician may also test your TSH level – thyroid-stimulating hormone.


• Pregnancy test in order to confirm or exclude pregnancy as being a probable cause of this nipple discharge.


• Ultrasound, mammography, or both in order to produce images of the tissues of the breast. If the physician finds a lump in the breast or other abnormality during the physical exam as well as to appraise the region which is in back of the nipple


• Magnetic resonance imaging – MRI – to see if there is any tumor or other anomaly of the pituitary gland, especially if the blood test reveal any elevated levels of prolactin

If the physician believes that medication use is causing galactorrhea, the individual will be told to halt that medicine for a small period of time in order to assess if this is possibly the cause.

Galactorrhea Treatment

If needed, any treatment will focus on solving the underlying reason for galactorrhea.

Often physicians will not be able to decide on an exact reason for galactorrhea, nevertheless it will need to be managed anyhow. This could be the situation if the patient is experiencing really embarrassing or bothersome discharge from the nipple. In these situations, the patient may be given drugs to stop the properties of prolactin or lower the amount. Reducing the levels of prolactin can stop galactorrhea.

Galactorrhea Medication

• Medication usage – halt taking some medication or change dose or change to another one.


• Hypothyroidism – Take medication for underactive thyroid gland


• Pituitary tumor – Medication to contract the tumor or surgery to take out


• Cause is unknown – Medicine to lessen the prolactin level, such as Parlodel or Dostinex

Galactorrhea Surgery

If this condition of galactorrhea perseveres and nothing is working to relieve the symptoms, surgery can be another option. The physician can mention this and refer you to a surgeon in order to deliberate the probability of have a bilateral duct excision – this removes the milk ducts from each breast.