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Galactorrhea is the flow of milk from the nipples in non-breastfeeding individuals, often caused by hormonal abnormalities such as excess prolactin. Medications, illegal drugs, and herbal supplements can also cause it. Treatment depends on the cause, with drugs and hormone treatment as options.
Galactorrhea is the term for the flow of milk from the nipples in those who are not breastfeeding. It can happen in women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, and sometimes in men as well. It is typically caused by hormonal abnormalities, such as excess prolactin, but there are other causes as well.
Prolactin, which is a pituitary hormone, is needed to produce breast milk. Excessive production of this hormone can lead to the problem of galactorrhea. There are some medications that can increase prolactin in a patient, such as beta-blockers, antidepressants, contraceptives, danazol, haloperidol, cimetidine, sumatriptan, and valproate, just to name a few. Additionally, illegal drugs like opiates, cannabis, and amphetamines can produce nipple discharge, as can herbal supplements like fennel, nettle, red raspberry, marshmallow, anise, red clover, and more. Patients with galactorrhea will likely be asked by their doctor if they have taken such medications in the past, as this is often the most common cause of the condition.
If the nipple discharge is bilateral or expressed from both nipples, it is usually treated as a hormonal problem. On the other hand, there are other causes of galactorrhea and increased prolactin levels in general. They include high levels of stress, kidney failure, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, acromegaly, and breast stimulation, such as excessive sucking. Another tip that helps doctors diagnose increased prolactin levels is the absence of menstruation and subsequent infertility, as these strokes can be caused by too much prolactin. Also, infants can get this condition from their mother before birth due to exposure to certain hormones, but no treatment is needed in these cases as it typically goes away on its own in infants.
On the other hand, discharge from only one nipple is typically not caused by increased prolactin levels. Instead, local breast disease could be the culprit, in which case the patient is usually examined closely to check for lumps, knots, and if the discharge is milky or blood-stained. If there is evidence to support a possible breast disease, the patient is usually referred to a specialist. It should be noted that breast disease can also cause bilateral nipple discharge, not just one-sided, although this is rare.
Once the cause of galactorrhea is determined, it can be treated by a doctor. If drugs are considered to be the culprit of the condition, different drugs will be prescribed. Some doctors also try hormone treatment, in which case females are given extra estrogen and males are given testosterone to try to reduce symptoms.
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