Thread by @FirstDoctorMD

ABNORMAL NIPPLE DISCHARGE

Some people don't breastfeed, but discharge milk from their nipples esp. when touched. This is called #galactorrhea!

On it's own, it's not a disease. But it could be a sign of an underlying disease that needs treatment.

Thread 🧵

RT for awareness

Have you seen someone who is not breastfeeding discharging milk from their nipples before?

Yeah, so #galactorrhea occurs mostly in women who have been pregnant before and are between 20 and 35 years.

But it can also happen in women of all ages, children and even men (yes, men can discharge breast milk from their tiny nipples too!😊)

To understand, #prolactin is a chemical substance or hormone made in your brain's Pituitary gland.

This prolactin stimulates production of breast milk.

So, anything that causes excess prolactin (#hyperprolactinemia) can lead to abnormal breast milk discharge.

Galactorrhea can occur in any woman, even those who have never had children or after menopause.

Some causes are:
1. Pituitary tumors (#adenomas)
2. Birth control pills
3. Opioid abuse
4. Some sedatives, antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, &
5. Over-stimulating the nipples!

But some myths are surrounding this abnormal breast milk discharge, especially in women.

MYTH 1: Galactorrhea is a sign of pregnancy!

FACT: Galactorrhea is NOT a sign of pregnancy. In fact, some causes of galactorrea can hinder a woman from getting pregnant.

MYTH 2: Galactorrhea means a woman has just terminated a pregnancy!

FACT: Really? That's wrong. Having galactorrhea doesn't mean you've just had a miscarriage or an induced abortion. It only means there's excess prolactin in your body.

MYTH 3: Galactorrhea only occurs in women!

FACT: Nope. Not at all. Children and even men can and do discharge milk from their breasts because the causes of galactorrhea are not gender-specific.

Remember, these myths are because most people are still ignorant of what causes abnormal breast milk discharge.

So we're here to correct these myths!

You can join my telegram channel for premium health tips on matters like this and more 👇🏿
T.me/FirstdoctorMD

To conclude, if you're not breastfeeding but experience abnormal milky nipple discharge, please SEE YOUR DOCTOR!

Sometimes, it's difficult to trace the exact cause. So the galactorrhea is left to resolve on it's own.

But when we're able to find the cause, treatment usually depends on the cause.

For e.g. serious causes like pituitary tumors or adenomas may require surgery and drugs, but minor ones like breast over-stimulation may resolve if the stimulation is reduced.

This thread is a summary, not exhaustive. But you can find out more from your doctor if you have treatable galactorrhea.

I remain your First Doctor (@FirstdoctorMD).

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