Galactorrhea: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Galactorrhea, a milky discharge from the nipples, has nothing to do with the normal milk produced during breastfeeding. Galactorrhea alone may not constitute a disease, but it may be a sign of something more serious. Women are typically affected, including those without children or those who have gone through menopause. Galactorrhea, however, can afflict neonates as well as men.

Overstimulating the breasts, unfavorable drug reactions, or anomalies in the pituitary gland can all lead to galactorrhea. Galactorrhea patients often have increased levels of prolactin, the hormone that stimulates milk production.

There are conditions in which galactorrhea's cause is unknown. It is possible that the medical condition will heal itself.

Causes Of Galactorrhea

Having too much prolactin, the hormone that causes milk production after childbirth frequently leads to galactorrhea. The pituitary gland, a little bean-shaped gland near the base of your brain that secretes and controls a number of hormones, is the source of prolactin.

Among the potential reasons for galactorrhea are:

• Pharmaceuticals, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, sedatives, and medications for elevated blood pressure
• Use of opioids
• Herbal supplements like fenugreek seed, anise, or fennel
• Birth control tablets
• Prolactinoma, a noncancerous pituitary tumor, or another pituitary gland ailment
• Hypothyroidism: under activity of the thyroid
• Persistent renal illness
• Excessive stimulation of the breasts, which might be linked to sexual activity, repeated breast self-examinations involving the manipulation of the nipples, or prolonged friction from clothes
• Burns, other chest traumas, or chest surgery that results in nerve damage to the chest wall
• Spinal cord operations, injuries, or tumors
• Stressed Out
• Galactorrhea that is not specific

The etiology of galactorrhea may be unknown to doctors. A disorder called idiopathic galactorrhea may simply mean that your breast tissue is very sensitive to the blood hormone prolactin, which is responsible for producing milk. In individuals with higher prolactin sensitivity, galactorrhea can arise from normal prolactin levels as well.

Galactorrhea in Males

Male hypogonadism, or low testosterone, may be associated with galactorrhea in males, which usually causes gynecomastia, or breast growth or pain. Impaired libido and reduced libido are associated with low testosterone levels as well.

Infantile galactorrhea

Galactorrhea can occasionally occur in infants. Through the placenta, high maternal estrogen levels are transferred into the baby's circulation. As a result, the baby's breast tissue may enlarge and the nipples may discharge milk. This is a milky discharge that is temporary and goes away on its own. If the discharge is continuous, the infant has to be evaluated by a physician.

Also Read: Uterine Polyps: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment and Complications

Symptoms Of Galactorrhea

Some indications and signs of galactorrhea are:

• Frequent or irregular milky nipple discharge
• Several milk ducts are involved in breast discharge
• A naturally occurring or artificially expressed breast discharge
• Menstrual periods are absent or irregular.
• Migraines
• Visual problems

Also Read: Uterus Didelphys(Double Uterus): Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Complications

Diagnosis Of Galactorrhea

It is challenging to determine the underlying cause of galactorrhea due to the wide range of possible reasons.

Testing might involve:

• A physical examination, during which your doctor may try to remove some fluid by gently palpating the area around your nipple. Your doctor may also check for any suspected breast lumps or areas of thickened breast tissue.
• In order to confirm the diagnosis of galactorrhea, the fluid discharged from the nipple is examined for the presence of fat droplets.
• A blood test to measure the amount of prolactin in your body. If your prolactin level is elevated, your doctor will likely also examine your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level.
• Get a pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy as a possible cause of nipple discharge.
• Your doctor may request an ultrasound, mammography, or both to obtain images of your breast tissue if, during your physical examination, they find a breast lump or other concerning changes to your breasts or nipples.
• You should have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of your brain to check for a tumor or other pituitary gland disorder if your blood test results show that your prolactin level is elevated.
• In order to rule out the chance that a drug is the source of your galactorrhea, your doctor can suggest you stop taking it for a short while.

Also Read: Amenorrhea: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment And Complications

How Is Galactorrhea Treated?

Depending on its cause, galactorrhea has different treatment options. For some people, it goes away on its own without the need for medical attention.

To further treat the disease, your doctor may also recommend:

• Reducing prolactin levels using medications like cabergoline and bromocriptine.
• Staying away from anything that could overstimulate your nipples.
• Changing or discontinuing prescription medication.
• Taking medication to treat your underactive thyroid if you suffer from hypothyroidism.
• Wearing clothing that fits loosely to reduce irritation around the nipples.
• Placing breast pads on to seal any leaks.

Galactorrhea is frequently the outcome of a benign pituitary tumor, which is not cancerous. If the tumor doesn’t cause any more problems, your doctor may determine that therapy isn’t necessary.

When treatment is necessary, medication is typically used to reduce pituitary tumors. In rare cases, radiation therapy or surgery may be required to eliminate or decrease a pituitary tumor.

Is galactorrhea preventable?

It's challenging to prevent galactorrhea. You may be less likely to have it if you follow these tips:

• Causing frequent stimulation to your breasts and nipples.
• Doing breast exams more frequently than once each month.
• Avoid wearing clothes that irritate or scratch your breasts.

Also Read: Vaginal Yeast Infections: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment and Complications

Complications Of Galactorrhea

Infertility and vision problems are two adverse effects of several drugs used to treat galactorrhea.

Estrogen levels can occasionally decline as a result of a pituitary tumor. People with low levels of estrogen are more likely to get osteoporosis, which causes brittle and fragile bones. Your doctor may suggest taking estrogen-containing oral contraceptives to reduce this risk.

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