Galactorrhea: What causes your nipples to discharge milk when not pregnant or nursing?

Have you ever noticed a milky discharge from your nipples even though you are not pregnant or nursing an infant? If yes, then you probably have a condition known as galactorrhea, and there are few things you need to know about it.

What is galactorrhea?

This happens when breast milk or a milk-like discharge leaks from your nipples. It is not the same as the milk secreted from the breast during pregnancy or while nursing.

Galactorrhea affects all sexes and can occur in children as well, but it is most common in women between 20 and 35 years and those who have given birth before.

Even though these discharges are rarely harmful, it is important to speak to a healthcare professional when you notice it.

Causes

Galactorrhea has very few known causes, with the most common one being an often benign growth on the pituitary gland. Called prolactinoma, this tumour can exert pressure on the pituitary gland, causing it to produce prolactin - the hormone responsible for lactation.

Apart from nipple discharge, prolactinoma can result in low libido in women as well as excessive hair growth, fertility problems and infrequent or absent periods. In men, it causes low libido as well as erectile dysfunction.

Other causes of galactorrhea include:

• Pregnancy
• Certain birth control pills, blood pressure medication or antidepressants
• Over stimulating the breasts either through sexual activity or frequent self-exams.
• Chronic kidney disease
• Using cocaine or marijuana

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Treatment

In some people, galactorrhea goes away without any treatment, but generally, treatment varies depending on the cause.

Doctors may advise that you stop taking some medication, taking medication to manage the production of prolactin, and basically avoiding the things that triggered the condition in the first place.