Have you ever seen milky or clear discharge from your breasts when you're not pregnant or breastfeeding?
Does it happen often?
I've met a couple of people who say it's because the lady has terminated a pregnancy.
But that's a lie
Let me explain
Thread
RT for others
Does it happen often?
I've met a couple of people who say it's because the lady has terminated a pregnancy.
But that's a lie
Let me explain
Thread
RT for others
What is most likely happening is a condition known as galactorrhea, where a person has milk like discharge from either one or both nipples.
This discharge is different from the regular milk secretion that occurs during pregnancy
It can occur in men also, Yes!
This discharge is different from the regular milk secretion that occurs during pregnancy
It can occur in men also, Yes!
This can be caused by a number of things:
Let's start from the common:
The commonest cause is what we call a prolactinoma, this is simply a tumor or growth that occurs in the pituitary gland.
Where is this gland? I'd like to say it's in between your eyes, inside your head
Let's start from the common:
The commonest cause is what we call a prolactinoma, this is simply a tumor or growth that occurs in the pituitary gland.
Where is this gland? I'd like to say it's in between your eyes, inside your head
Please let us note that in most cases, this growth is usually benign, so don't go around scared that you may brain cancer.
Keyword: usually,
but that does not mean that you should not see a doctor as soon as you can. To make sure you have the benign type.
Keyword: usually,
but that does not mean that you should not see a doctor as soon as you can. To make sure you have the benign type.
Prolactin majorly controls breast milk during pregnancy,
But when it's increased in non pregnant women, it may cause this breast discharge
In women, they may also have absent periods or they may not see their periods every month
Some may have issues bearing children
But when it's increased in non pregnant women, it may cause this breast discharge
In women, they may also have absent periods or they may not see their periods every month
Some may have issues bearing children
It is tumor grows large enough, it pushes some nerves aside, and may cause problems with your vision, or may even cause headaches that are frequent.
Other tumors close to this pituitary gland may also trigger the production of prolactin.
Other tumors close to this pituitary gland may also trigger the production of prolactin.
So what are the other causes?
When your thyroid gland is not working properly
Some drugs like opioids, high blood pressure medications, antidepressants,
Some kidney conditions
Using marijuana, Igbo, weed.
Some herbal supplements
Liver problems
Some contraceptives
When your thyroid gland is not working properly
Some drugs like opioids, high blood pressure medications, antidepressants,
Some kidney conditions
Using marijuana, Igbo, weed.
Some herbal supplements
Liver problems
Some contraceptives
What do you do if you have this?
You need a doctor, preferably a gynecologist
He or she will ask some questions and examine you to be sure that there are no lumps in your breasts.
Some tests will be run, to check the level of your hormones this helps to narrow down the cause
You need a doctor, preferably a gynecologist
He or she will ask some questions and examine you to be sure that there are no lumps in your breasts.
Some tests will be run, to check the level of your hormones this helps to narrow down the cause
He or she may ask for an MRI or a CT scan to look into your brain,
I'll leave the other parts to your doctor
Can it be treated? Yes! Depending on the cause, in some cases where the cause can't be found, some drugs will be given to reduce the level of this prolactin hormone.
I'll leave the other parts to your doctor
Can it be treated? Yes! Depending on the cause, in some cases where the cause can't be found, some drugs will be given to reduce the level of this prolactin hormone.
