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Galactorrhea refers to a condition in which the breast produces milk flow when a woman is not nursing. Women who have had multiple pregnancies may express small amounts of milk at times, and this is not abnormal. Milk production occurs because a hormone called Prolactin is released
by the pituitary gland. A variety of factors may play
a role in abnormal milk
production.
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- Milk production when not nursing
(see above)
- Others that may occur:
- Headache, Double Vision,
stopping of menstrual
period
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- Unknown
- Surgery/trauma
- Exercise
- Acromegaly
- Chronic chest wall irritation (e.g., Shingles)
- Low thyroid
- Pituitary tumors
- Pituitary problems
- Liver Cirrhosis
- Spinal cord lesions
- Cushing's disease
- Polycystic ovaries
- Lupus
- Oophorectomy (surgical removal of
ovaries)
- Medication, including:
- Amphetamines
- Anesthetic agents
- Anti-psychotic medications
- Estrogens
- Hydroxyzine (Atarax)
- Methyldopa
- Narcotics (i.e., codeine)
- Nicotine
- Progestins
- Reserpine
- Tagamet
- Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Elavil)
- Verapamil
- SSRI antidepressants
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- Prolactin blood level
- Pregnancy must be ruled out
- Liver and kidney function tests to
rule out diseases of the kidney and liver
- Thyroid functions tests
- MRI of the brain if necessary (to
evaluate the hypothalamus and pituitary gland)
- Growth hormone level if Acromegaly suspected
- FSH/LH hormones if there is absence
of menstruation
- If Cushing's disease is suspected
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- Correct the underlying cause. For
example, if caused by medication, stop the offending
medication, etc.
- Bromocriptine is a medication that brings about reduction from all causes.
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