Nipple discharge refers to any fluid that seeps out of the nipple of the breast. Nipple discharge during pregnancy and breast-feeding is normal. Nipple discharge happens less commonly in women who aren't pregnant or breast-feeding.
Excessive breast stimulation, medication side effects or disorders of the pituitary gland all may contribute to galactorrhea. Often, galactorrhea results from increased levels of prolactin, the hormone that stimulates milk production. Sometimes, the cause of galactorrhea can't be determined.
Stimulation. Nipples may secrete fluid when they are stimulated or squeezed. Normal nipple discharge may also occur when your nipples are repeatedly chafed by your bra or during vigorous physical exercise, such as jogging.
Galactorrhea is a condition where your breasts leak milk. The main sign of galactorrhea is when it happens in people who aren't pregnant or breastfeeding. It's caused by stimulation, medication or a pituitary gland disorder.
Causes of nipple discharge
breastfeeding or pregnancy – see leaking from your nipples. a blocked or enlarged milk duct. a small, non-cancerous lump in the breast. a breast infection (mastitis)
Try a medication, such as bromocriptine (Cycloset, Parlodel) or cabergoline, to lower your prolactin level and minimize or stop milky nipple discharge. Side effects of these medications commonly include nausea, dizziness and headaches.
This can be caused by lactational mastitis that occurs with a pus-filled infection (abscess). Galactorrhea is a milky discharge from both nipples, when a woman is not breastfeeding. This is often due to an increase in the hormone prolactin, which produces milk. Galactorrhea may occur if you take sedatives or marijuana.
If you're still having menstrual periods and your nipple discharge doesn't resolve on its own after your next menstrual cycle and occurs spontaneously, make an appointment with your health care provider to have it evaluated.
The main symptom of galactorrhea is a milky white discharge from one or both nipples. Sometimes, the discharge is yellow or greenish in color. Blood in the discharge is not a symptom of galactorrhea.
PHYSIOLOGIC CONDITIONS. Galactorrhea may be considered physiologic. Pregnant women may lactate as early as the second trimester and may continue to produce milk for up to two years after cessation of breast-feeding.
A gynecologist is a specialist you need for the treatment of nipple discharge.
For some breastfeeding mothers, stress may increase the hormone (prolactin) that is responsible for the production of breast milk, while others may see their breast milk supply and letdown response (helps to release milk from the breast) reduced.
In women, physical or psychological stress, pregnancy and nipple stimulation have all been found to increase prolactin levels. In both women and men, chronic kidney disease and hypothyroidism (when your thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone) can also lead to elevated prolactin levels.
Regardless of what the research says, stress does cause physiological changes within the body. It boosts adrenaline and cortisol. These stress hormones, in turn, inhibit the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Stress also increases prolactin production.
Tests for pregnancy, serum prolactin level and serum thyroid-stimulating hormone level, and magnetic resonance imaging are important diagnostic tools that should be employed when clinically indicated. The underlying cause of galactorrhea should be treated when possible.
Galactorrhea is milk production from the breast unrelated to pregnancy or lactation. Milk production one year after cessation of breastfeeding is non-lactational and is considered galactorrhea. Various hormones including prolactin, estrogens, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) can affect the production of milk.
Galactorrhea is defined as one of the causes of infertility caused by luteal phase defect and anovulatory cycles.
Galactorrhea refers to a condition where your nipples secrete a milky fluid that resembles breast milk, except you aren't pregnant or nursing. While this condition may be relatively painless and often benign, there could be serious underlying causes.
Galactorrhea is milky breast discharge that happens in women who aren't pregnant or breastfeeding. Galactorrhea is milky breast discharge that happens in women who aren't pregnant or breastfeeding. It affects as many as 1 out of every 4 or 5 women.
Dopamine agonists can decrease the production of prolactin and shrink the size of the tumor. Drugs can eliminate symptoms for most people with prolactinomas. However, you'll generally need long-term treatment with drugs. Commonly prescribed drugs include cabergoline and bromocriptine (Cycloset, Parlodel).
Galactorrhea is reported in 5%–10% of women with regular menses, nearly all of whom have normal prolactin levels.