Info about Lactation

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Galactorrhea pathological lactation

Often galactorrhea is caused by a high quantity of prolactin the hormone responsible for milk production (lactation), when you have a child. Prolactin is produced by the pituitary gland, a gland the size of a pea, located in the brain that secretes hormones and regulates the activity.


• Possible causes:


• Medicines such as some tranquilizers, antidepressants but also high blood pressure;


• Herbal supplements, such as those in fenel, anise, fenugreek (Trigonella)


• Medicines for birth control;


• A noncancerous pituitary tumor or other diseases of the pituitary gland;


• Excessive breast stimulation during intercourse, of breast examinations;


• Chronic kidney disease;


• Hypothyroidism.


Nevertheless there is the possibility that doctors do not detect the cause that triggers the disease. In this situation it is idiopathic galactorrhea, which means that breast tissues are sensitive to prolactin production.


Galactorrhea symptoms and signs affect mostly women aged between 20 and 35 years who had at least one pregnancy. The main sign is a liquid like milk flow (from the breasts). Usually, this white liquid is clear, but may be and yellow or green. If there is leakage of blood.


Fluid can occur at one or both breasts, spontaneously or when breast is massaged and a leak can be temporary or permanent. Leakage occurs involving both channels and after breast stimulation, but not spontaneously, may indicate a noncancerous disease (benign). This condition often occurs among women, but there were cases of galactorrhea in males.


In women, galactorrhea may be associated with excessive stimulation of the breasts, the side effects of drugs or diseases of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. Males may be associated with sex and erectile dysfunction caused by testosterone deficiency.


Sometimes causes of the disease can not be determined, but often result from high levels of prolactin, the hormone that stimulates milk production.


Treatment for treatment of galactorrhea is not always need, because the disease disappears itself, If treatment is prescribed, it is meant to heal the hidden causes that can trigger the disease. There are situations in which doctors can not determine the exact cause that trigger galactorrhea, but this issue should be treated anyway while nipples harden and become painful. In these circumstances you need to block the effect of prolactin medicamanete or decrease the amount of prolactin in your body.


Medications used to treat galactorrhea is: bromocriptine (Parlodel) and cabergoline (Dostinex).


You can also use breast pads, so the liquid will not spoil the clothes and you will not feel embarrassed.