Galactorrhea

Galactorrhea (also spelled galactorrhoea) (galacto- + -rrhea) or lactorrhea (lacto- + -rrhea) is the spontaneous flow of milk from the breast, unassociated with childbirth or nursing.

Galactorrhea
SpecialtyObstetrics 

Galactorrhea is reported to occur in 5–32% of women. Much of the difference in reported incidence can be attributed to different definitions of galactorrhea.[1] Although frequently benign, it may be caused by serious underlying conditions and should be properly investigated.[2] Galactorrhea also occurs in males, newborn infants and adolescents of both sexes.[3]

Causes

Galactorrhea can take place as a result of dysregulation of certain hormones. Hormonal causes most frequently associated with galactorrhea are hyperprolactinemia and thyroid conditions with elevated levels[lower-alpha 1] of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) or thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). No obvious cause is found in about 50% of cases.[1]

Lactation requires the presence of prolactin, and the evaluation of galactorrhea includes eliciting a history for various medications or foods (methyldopa, opioids, antipsychotics, serotonin reuptake inhibitors[4]) and for behavioral causes (stress, breast, and chest wall stimulation), as well as evaluation for gestation, pituitary adenomas (with overproduction of prolactin or compression of the pituitary stalk), and hypothyroidism. Adenomas of the anterior pituitary are most often prolactinomas. Overproduction of prolactin leads to cessation of menstrual periods and infertility, which may be a diagnostic clue. Galactorrhea may also be caused by hormonal imbalances owing to birth control pills.

Galactorrhea is also a side effect associated with the use of the second-generation H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine (Tagamet). Galactorrhea can also be caused by antipsychotics that cause hyperprolactinemia by blocking dopamine receptors responsible for control of prolactin release. Of these, risperidone is the most notorious for causing this complication.[5] Case reports suggest proton-pump inhibitors have been shown to cause galactorrhea.

Neonatal milk
Main article: Witch's milk

Neonatal milk or witch's milk is milk secreted from the breasts of approximately 5% of newborn infants. It is considered a normal variation and no treatment or testing is necessary. In folklore, witch's milk was believed to be a source of nourishment for witches' familiar spirits.[6]

See also

References
  1. Sakiyama, R.; Quan, M. (1983). "Galactorrhea and hyperprolactinemia". Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey. 38 (12): 689–700. doi:10.1097/00006254-198312000-00001. PMID 6361641. S2CID 2846310.
  2. Whitman-Elia, G. F.; Windham, N. Q. (2000). "Galactorrhea may be clue to serious problems. Patients deserve a thorough workup". Postgraduate Medicine. 107 (7): 165–168, 171. doi:10.3810/pgm.2000.06.1129. PMID 10887453.
  3. Rohn, R. D. (1984). "Galactorrhea in the adolescent". Journal of Adolescent Health. 5 (1): 37–49. doi:10.1016/s0197-0070(84)80244-2. PMID 6420385.
  4. Karimi, H; Nourizad, S; Momeni, M; Rahbar, H; Momeni, M; Farhadi, K (2013). "Burns, hypertrophic scar and galactorrhea". Journal of Injury and Violence Research. 5 (2): 117–9. doi:10.5249/jivr.v5i2.314. PMC 3683415. PMID 23456048.
  5. Popli, A (March 1998). "Risperidone-induced galactorrhea associated with a prolactin elevation". Ann Clin Psychiatry. 10 (1): 31–3. doi:10.3109/10401239809148815. PMID 9622047.
  6. Potts, Malcolm (1999). Ever Since Adam and Eve: The Evolution of Human Sexuality. p. 145. ISBN 0-521-64404-6.
  1. which may also suggest Pituitary disease
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