Can Lactation Occur In Women Who Are Not Pregnant Or Breast Feeding?

by Manya Verma Health care and lifestyle

Overview

Lactation, or production of milk in women, is common after a woman has given birth, and although relatively less common, it can sometimes occur during pregnancy too. However, it is possible for women (and men, though very rarely) to produce a milky discharge from one or both nipples without being pregnant or breastfeeding.

According to a leading gynaecologist in Panchkula, who works at a top maternity hospital in Panchkula, this is a condition known as Galactorrhea. It is unrelated to the milk that women naturally produce during breastfeeding.

Symptoms of Galactorrhea

Although the symptoms of Galactorrhea depend mostly on the underlying condition that causes it, medical experts at the mother and child hospital in Panchkula list some of the common symptoms, which include:

·         Persistent or sporadic milky discharge from the nipple on one or both breasts

·         Leaking from the nipples, either spontaneously or due to manual stimulation

·         Irregular periods

·         Headaches or visual disturbances

In case of men suffering from Galactorrhea, they may also experience the following symptoms:

·         Enlarged breast area around the nipples

·         Tenderness in the breast area

·         Erectile dysfunction

·         Loss of sexual desire

Causes of Galactorrhea

The best gynaecologist in Panchkula says that the hormone prolactin is responsible for most cases of Galactorrhea. The hormone prolactin causes lactation during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. People who have Galactorrhea may produce too much prolactin. Problems with the pituitary gland, such as a noncancerous tumor or another pituitary disorder, can sometimes cause people who are not pregnant to lactate. There are, however, other causes of Galactorrhea too, as the experts at the hospital in Panchkula explain. These include:

·         Excessive breast and nipple stimulation

·         Medications, including antipsychotics, antidepressants, and drugs for high blood pressure

·         An underactive thyroid

·         Chronic kidney disease

·         Nerve damage to the chest from an injury or surgery

·         Some types of hormonal birth control

·         Spinal cord surgery or injury

·         Use of marijuana, opioids, or cocaine

·         Some herbal supplements, including fenugreek, anise, or fennel

·         Testosterone deficiency in men

·         High levels of oestrogen in new-borns

Need a consultation or advice from a women’s health specialist? The top hospital in Panchkula mentioned above is also the top maternity hospital in Chandigarh (being just half-an-hour’s car ride away). It is a super-speciality hospital that deals with all conditions related to women’s health, pregnancy or paediatrics. You can book an appointment at the hospital’s website, or visit the hospital directly, which is located at Mansa Devi Complex, Swastik Vihar, Phase – 1, Sector -5, MDC in Panchkula. 

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Created on Aug 31st 2018 02:22. Viewed 1,097 times.

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