Galactorrhea

Galactorrhea is milky discharge from the nipples, this discharge is not associated with pregnancy or breast feeding, this nipple discharge is a not a problem itself, but it is a proof that there are some underlying health problems affecting the person with this discharge.

Galactorrhea does not affect women alone, this may affect men and babies, though the percentage in this regard is less. There are different reasons why there is galactorrhea in women, major reasons are medication side effects, disorder of the hypothalamus or pituitary glands and the high stimulation of the breasts.

Breast discharge among men is due to deficiency of the male hormone testosterone, another reason among men is erectile dysfunction. Galactorrhea among babies i.e.



new born babies is due to passing of high level of the hormone estrogen to the babies blood, resulting into enlarged baby breast tissue, and a discharge from the baby’s nipples.

Discharge due to galactorrhea is generally or milky white, yellow or green in color, if the discharge is bloody, this might be a sign of cancerous tumor or breast growth rather than galactorrhea.

In women galacterrohea may be caused due to prolactinoma or tumor growth on the pituitary gland, this may cause extra secretion of the milk production hormone called prolactin which is secreted generally when a woman has a baby. Sometimes it is possible that some women are especially sensitive to  prolactin, in such people, even normal levels or prolactin can result into galactorrhea.

A thyroid problem too may cause galactorrhea, an underactive thyroid too could lead to production of milk and milky discharge from the nipples. This condition is called hypothyroidism.



Incase the nipple discharge is bloody and without any stimulation from one breast not from both breasts is a sign of breast cancer, whereas if the discharge occurs after the breast has been stimulated, there might be a benign growth inside the breast.

There is another reason for galactorrhea, and that is amenorrhea, this condition means lack of menstruation for some period of time, though this is a rare condition it is not necessary to panic, there are two stages of this condition, the first stage means that there have been no periods for one to three months and the second stage includes that there have been no periods for 3-6 months. Both the stages need to be investigated to find out the reason, galactorrhea during this time is common symptom.

Galactorrhea is not dangerous but it could indicate a health problem, therefore it is necessary that this condition be properly investigated by the doctor.