Galactorrhea
Sometimes a woman's breast makes milk even though she is not breast feeding a baby. This is called galactorrhea. The milk may come from one or both breasts.Galactorrhea is also sometimes called witch's milk Tumors or growths in the ovaries or other reproductive organs in women, or in the testicles or related sexual organs of men, can also stimulate the production of prolactin. Any discharge of fluid from the breast after a woman has passed menopause may indicate breast cancer. However, most often the discharge associated with breast cancer will be from one breast only. In galactorrhea both breasts are usually involved. The presence of blood in the fluid discharged from the breast could indicate a benign growth in the breast tissue itself. It may leak with no stimulation or it may leak only when the breasts are touched. The secretion may be intermittent or persistent, scant or abundant, free-flowing or expressible, and unilateral or bilateral. The condition is more common in women who are 20 to 35 years of age and in previously parous women. It is less common in children and nulligravid women. Galactorrhea also can occur in men. In children, galactorrhea is more common in infants and teenage girls. The condition may result in patient anxiety and physician concern and can signify a serious underlying disorder. the most common cause of galactorrhea is a prolactin-secreting tumor in the pituitary gland.The development of galactorrhea may also be induced by drugs, including phenothiazines, certain drugs given for high blood pressure opioids, and even licorice.
There are other causes of galactorrhea that do not involve high levels of prolactin, such as an underactive thyroid gland. The most common pathologic cause of galactorrhea is a pituitary tumor. Other causes include hypothalamic and pituitary stalk lesions, neurogenic stimulation, thyroid disorders, and chronic renal failure. Galactorrhea sometimes occurs in newborns. High maternal estrogen levels cross the placenta into the baby's blood. This can cause enlargement of the baby's breast tissue, which may be associated with a milky nipple. discharge.Prolactinomas usually are very small when first diagnosed; however, they tend to be larger in men than in women, probably because they come to attention later.
Causes of Galactorrhea
Common causes of Galactorrhea
- Upsets the balance of hormones in the blood
- Antidepressants.
- Blood pressure.
- Fenugreek seed.
- Birth control pills.
- Chronic kidney disease.
- Spinal cord injury.
- Depression of the prolactin.
- Anxiety.
- Adrenal tumors.
- Lactation.
- Stress.
- Excessive.
- Breast manipulation.
- Pregnancy.
- Hypothalamic disorders.
- Pituitary stalk transection.
- Pituitary disorders.
- Prolactin secreting adenoma.
Symptoms of Galactorrhea
Common symptoms of Galactorrhea
- Headaches.
- Less interest in having sex
- Increase in hair growth on your chin and chest
- Acne.
- Prolactinoma.
- Hot flushes.
Treatment of Galactorrhea
Common Treatment of Galactorrhea
- Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans are done to search for a prolactinoma. If no tumor is detected and there is no other apparent cause of the high prolactin level a pituitary tumor is still the most likely cause, particularly in women. In this case, the tumor is probably too small to be seen on the scan.
- prolactinomas subside so the dopamine agonists can be stopped without the prolactin level rising again. This is more common with small tumors and after pregnancy.
- Radiation therapy has also been used to reduce tumor size when surgery is not possible or not totally successful. A combination of drug, surgery, and radiation treatment can also be used.
- Medications used to treat galactorrhea include bromocriptine and cabergoline.
- Most tumors that cause galactorrhea are not cancer. They can be treated with medicine or surgery.
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