The following features are indicative of Galactorrhea:
milky nipple discharge
multiple milk ducts in nipple discharge
spontaneous leakage from nipples
absent or irregular menstrual periods
headache
vision problems
It is possible that Galactorrhea shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Galactorrhea
The following are the most common causes of Galactorrhea:
hyperprolactinemia
elevated levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
elevated levels of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
opioid use
birth control pills
prolactinoma
Other Causes of Galactorrhea
The following are the less common causes of Galactorrhea:
hypothyroidism
excessive breast stimulation
nipple manipulation
prolonged clothing friction
nerve damage in chest surgery
spinal cord injury
Risk Factors for Galactorrhea
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Galactorrhea:
most prominent in females
more common in women after menopause
excessive breast stimulation
disorders of the pituitary gland
Prevention of Galactorrhea
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Galactorrhea. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
avoid wearing tight clothing that causes friction with nipple
Occurrence of Galactorrhea
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Galactorrhea cases seen each year worldwide:
Common between 1 - 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Galactorrhea can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Galactorrhea can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Galactorrhea
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Galactorrhea:
Physical examination: Visual examination of the area around nipple to check breast lumps
Analysis of fluid discharged from the nipple: To see the presence of fat droplets in the fluid for confirmation of galactorrhea
Blood test: To check the level of prolactin and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level
Pregnancy test: To exclude pregnancy as a possible cause of nipple discharge
Mammography or ultrasound: To obtain images of breast tissue to find out any breast lump
MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging): To check for a tumor or other abnormality of pituitary gland
Complications of Galactorrhea if untreated
Yes, Galactorrhea causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Galactorrhea is left untreated:
irregular menses
infertility
osteoporosis
Procedures for Treatment of Galactorrhea
The following procedures are used to treat Galactorrhea:
Surgery: Procedure used to treat galactorrhea
Self-care for Galactorrhea
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Galactorrhea:
Avoid stimulation of nipples: Don't stimulate nipples during sexual activity
Avoid performing frequent breast self-exams: Restrict manipulating nipples
Wear soft clothing: To minimize the friction between the fabric and nipples
Time for Treatment of Galactorrhea
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Galactorrhea to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
