This is called idiopathic galactorrhea, and it may just mean that your breast tissue is particularly sensitive to the milk-producing hormone prolactin in your blood. If you have increased sensitivity to prolactin, even normal prolactin levels can lead to galactorrhea.
Definition. Nipple discharge refers to any fluid that seeps out of the nipple of the breast. Nipple discharge during pregnancy and breast-feeding is normal. Nipple discharge happens less commonly in women who aren't pregnant or breast-feeding.
PHYSIOLOGIC CONDITIONS. Galactorrhea may be considered physiologic. Pregnant women may lactate as early as the second trimester and may continue to produce milk for up to two years after cessation of breast-feeding.
Nipple discharge (ND) can be the earliest presenting symptom of breast cancer. ND is usually greenish, yellow, or milky, but when it comes to breast cancer, ND is whitish. Nipple discharge typically occurs at a rate of one in five women and may present in one or both nipples of the breast.
A painless, hard mass that has irregular edges is more likely to be cancer, but breast cancers can be also soft, round, tender, or even painful. Other possible symptoms of breast cancer include: Swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no lump is felt) Skin dimpling (sometimes looking like an orange peel)
Overview. Galactorrhea (guh-lack-toe-REE-uh) is a milky nipple discharge unrelated to the normal milk production of breast-feeding. Galactorrhea itself isn't a disease, but it could be a sign of an underlying problem. It usually occurs in women, even those who have never had children or after menopause.
Galactorrhea refers to a condition where your nipples secrete a milky fluid that resembles breast milk, except you aren't pregnant or nursing. While this condition may be relatively painless and often benign, there could be serious underlying causes.
Symptoms of galactorrhea
The main symptom of galactorrhea is a milky white discharge from one or both nipples. Sometimes, the discharge is yellow or greenish in color.
Montgomery glands are the main white spots that become more visible due to pregnancy and hormone changes. Montgomery glands are present on both the nipple and the surrounding areola. They contain an oily substance that keeps the nipples soft and supple.
Stimulation. Nipples may secrete fluid when they are stimulated or squeezed. Normal nipple discharge may also occur when your nipples are repeatedly chafed by your bra or during vigorous physical exercise, such as jogging.
Causes of nipple discharge
a blocked or enlarged milk duct. a small, non-cancerous lump in the breast. a breast infection (mastitis) a side effect of a medicine – including the contraceptive pill.
Galactorrhea often goes away without treatment. Avoiding things that cause galactorrhea is the best way to keep it from occurring. If a pituitary tumor is causing the condition, your healthcare provider may want you to have a yearly CT or MRI to look for signs of growth.
Galactorrhea (guh-LACK-toe-REE-uh) is milk discharge from the breast that is unrelated to breastfeeding or that happens at least one year after stopping breastfeeding. It usually happens in both breasts, but it can also happen in only one.
Often, milky discharge associated with idiopathic galactorrhea goes away on its own, particularly if you can avoid breast stimulation or medications that are known to cause nipple discharge.
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.
Stress Impacts Your Let-Down
Oxytocin stimulates your milk ducts to widen and allow milk to flow from your breasts. If you feel stressed, your body will inhibit the release of oxytocin. As a result, milk will still flow to your milk ducts, but these ducts won't fully widen.
Galactorrhea is milky breast discharge that happens in women who aren't pregnant or breastfeeding. It affects as many as 1 out of every 4 or 5 women. It can happen at any age, even after menopause, and even if you've never had children.
Galactorrhea is one of the complaints often associated with infertility. Its relationship with amenorrhea and infertility is well-established. Galactorrhea is the inappropriate secretion of breast milk. It is a relatively common symptom as 20–25% of women experience galactorrhea at some time in their life.
The most common cause of galactorrhea is overproduction of the hormone prolactin (hyperprolactinemia) due to a tumor in the pituitary gland. Hyperprolactinemia can cause galactorrhea, or unexpected milk production, and infertility in both men and women.
Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older. Some women will get breast cancer even without any other risk factors that they know of. Having a risk factor does not mean you will get the disease, and not all risk factors have the same effect.
Certain manipulations of the breasts, such as fondling, sucking, or massaging can stimulate milk ducts to secrete fluid. Stress also has been shown to cause nipple discharge.
A normal nipple discharge is usually a thin, cloudy, whitish, or almost clear fluid. However, the discharge may be other colors, such as gray, green, yellow, or brown. A bloody discharge is abnormal. Abnormal discharges vary in appearance depending on the cause.