The condition can occur in males as well as females. Galactorrhea galactorrhea is typically bilateral and spontaneous. Primary hypothyroidism can cause hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea, because increased levels of thyroidreleasing hormone increase secretion of. Galactorrhea definition galactorrhea is the secretion of breast milk in men, or in women who are not breastfeeding an infant. For a five month period, infants examined on admission and discharge from the newborn nursery and at twoweek and twomonth wellbaby visits were examined for breast nodule size and the presence of galactorrhea. The diagnosis is based on measuring the blood levels of the hormone prolactin. Galactorrhea hormonal and metabolic disorders merck. Galactorrhea hyperprolactinemia is increased blood prolactin levels associated with galactorrhea abnormal milk secretion. Galactorrhea is the spontaneous, nonobstetric production of bilateral white or clear nipple discharge. Galactorrhea is from too much prolactin either a prolactinoma or drug side effects like antipsychotics.
It usually originates from many ducts and the discharge is milky. This page was last revised on 632012 and last published on 222020. Relatively common etiologies include prolactinoma, medication effect, kidney failure, granulomatous. Description lactation, or the production of breast milk, is a normal condition occurring in women after delivery of a baby. Hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea also may be caused by ingestion of certain drugs, including phenothiazines and some other antipsychotics, certain antihypertensives especially alphamethyldopa, and opioids. Definition galactorrhea is the secretion of breast milk in men, or in women who are not breastfeeding an infant. Eftekhari n, mohammadalizadeh s gynecol endocrinol 2009 feb. Nine hundred eightyfour examinations were performed on 640 children. Many women who have had children may even be able to express a small amount of breast milk. Galactorrhea definition of galactorrhea by medical. According to goljan, males are more likely to just have impotencesexual side effects with extra prolactin because you dont have enough ducts to stimulate, but that its always the case.
It is estimated to occur in 2025% of women at some time in their life. Many women who have had children may even be able to express a small amount of breast milk from the. If the cause cannot be found and eradicated, bromocriptine is the drug of choice. Galactorrhea can cause unexpected milk production and infertility in both men and women. Pregnancy rate following bromocriptine treatment in infertile women with galactorrhea. The most common cause of galactorrhea is a tumor in the pituitary gland. Please see the terms and conditions this page was written by scott moses, md. It may be caused by such things as certain medications, pituitary disorders and thyroid disorders. Galactorrhea endocrine and metabolic disorders merck. Galactorrhea and amenorrhea in burn patients request pdf. An earlier episode of hyperprolactinaemia which triggered persistent galactorrhea.