Galactorrhea - 6 Common Symptoms

Galactorrhea is not a disease per se, but more of an underlying medical condition or a symptom that involves discharge of a milky fluid from the nipples, which is not the breast milk. It becomes especially crucial owing to the similarity of the two, when breastfeeding the baby is concerned. It may happen even while you are not lactating or not even pregnant, mostly in menopausal women. Strangely, the syndrome has also shown to have occurred to men and children, irrespective of gender.

What are the contributing factors to the development of Galactorrhea?
1. Galactorrhea is a major side effect of certain kinds of medication that leads to hormonal imbalance and ultimately leads to quasi-lactation.
2. Increase in the levels of prolactin can result in Galactorrhea which may be due to a number of reasons ranging from excessive stimulation in the nipples and chest area (during sexual activities), or pituitary and thyroid problems. The former is not a major cause of worry. The latter can be fixed with proper medication.
3. Kidney disease and spinal cord surgery may also result in this phenomenon.
4. Substance abuse and birth control pills may also be responsible for breast discharge.

5. At times, the causes for Galactorrhea may not be certifiably determined.

Various symptoms of Galactorrhea include:
1. Milky discharge from one or both breasts simultaneously.
2. Discharge may be continuous or intermittent.
3. Density and amount of discharge may also vary.
4. In case of women, this may have a direct effect on periods, leading to irregular menstruation.
5. The discharge may occur without pressure or when an external agency is involved.
6. Headaches and worsening vision are also said to occur.

When you experience a nipular discharge, the most common tests you should undergo include a pregnancy test, prolactin level exam, mammography, ultrasounds, even an MRI for the pituitary gland evaluation. Based on the result, your physician prescribes the required medicines or advises you to stop taking a particular medicine that might be causing this discharge in the first place. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a gynaecologist.