What is Galactorrhea (Multiple Lactation Syndrome)? Answer from doctor

Galactorrhea syndrome (polylactation syndrome) is an abnormal milk production from the nipples. There are many factors that can contribute to this syndrome. These include excessive breast stimulation, medication side effects, or pituitary disorders. Usually, polylactation is the result of increased prolactin, the hormone that stimulates milk production.

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• What is Galactorrhea Syndrome?
• Symptoms of abnormal lactation
• Reason
• Diagnose the disease when there is abnormal milk secretion
• Treatment of Galactorrhea syndrome 

What is Galactorrhea Syndrome?

Galactorrhea is not a disease, but it can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. This condition often occurs in women, including those who have not had children or after menopause . However, Galactorrhea can also occur in men and also in infants.

There are many possible causes for this syndrome. Sometimes, the cause of Galactorrhea cannot be determined.

Symptoms of abnormal lactation

Signs and symptoms associated with Galactorrhea include:

• Persistent or intermittent nipple discharge.
• Nipple discharge originates from the milk ducts.
• Nipples self-discharge or release fluid when stimulated by hand.
• One or both breasts are affected.
• Irregular or absent menstrual periods.
• Headache .
• Vision problems.

Reason

Galactorrhea is often the result of too much prolactin. Prolactin is the hormone responsible for milk production when you have a baby. Prolactin is produced by the pituitary gland, a small bean-shaped gland at the base of the brain.

Galactorrhea syndrome can occur in many people, including men

Common causes of Galactorehea

• Medicines. Sedatives, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and blood pressure medications.
• Use of narcotics.
• Birth control pills .
• Benign pituitary tumor or other disorder of the pituitary gland.
• An underactive thyroid ( hypothyroidism ).
• Chronic kidney disease.
• Excessive breast stimulation. May involve sexual activity, or friction with stretched clothing.
• Chest wall nerve damage from chest surgery, burns, or other chest trauma.
• Spinal cord surgery, trauma or tumor.
• Stress .

Idiopathic Galactorrhea

Sometimes the cause of polylactation cannot be found. Perhaps your breast tissue is particularly sensitive to the milk-producing hormone prolactin in your blood. If you have increased sensitivity to prolactin, normal prolactin levels can also lead to Galactorrhea.

Galactorrhea in men

In men, Galactorrhea may be related to testosterone deficiency (male hypogonadism). The syndrome is often accompanied by breast enlargement and pain. Erectile dysfunction and lack of sex drive have also been linked to testosterone deficiency.

In men, this syndrome is related to a lack of testosterone in the body

Galactorrhea in infants

Galactorrhea sometimes occurs in infants. High maternal estrogen levels can cross the placenta into the baby's bloodstream. This causes the baby's breast tissue to enlarge, and may be related to nipple discharge. This abnormal lactation is temporary and may go away on its own. However, if it persists, the child should be examined.

Diagnose the disease when there is abnormal milk secretion

There are many possible causes for this condition. So figuring out the underlying cause of Galactorrhea syndrome can be quite complicated. First, to evaluate the status of breast discharge, the doctor will perform a general examination and breast exam.

Breast exam

• Take some discharge from the breast for examination.
• Examination for breast lumps.
• Consider other suspected areas of possible cause, eg areas of denser breast tissue.

Analysis of discharge from the nipple

If fatty secretions are secreted from the mammary glands, this can help confirm the diagnosis of Galactorrhea syndrome.

Blood tests

Check prolactin levels in the body. If prolactin is elevated, it may be necessary to have your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels checked.

Pregnancy test or not?

Pregnancy is a possible cause of nipple discharge. Therefore, this condition should be ruled out before diagnosing polylactation syndrome.

Mammography/breast ultrasound

If physical examination reveals a breast lump or abnormal breast tissue changes, breast imaging can help confirm the diagnosis.

Mammography helps your doctor determine your medical condition

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain

Look for a tumor or other abnormality of the pituitary gland if blood tests show elevated prolactin. If your doctor suspects that a medication you're taking is the cause of your nipple discharge, he or she will direct you to stop taking the medication for a short time to evaluate the cause.

Treatment of Galactorrhea syndrome 

Treatment for Galactorrhea syndrome is to address the cause of this abnormal lactation.

According to the cause of Galactorrhea syndrome, we have the following treatments:

• Due to the medication being taken. Stop taking the medication, reduce the dose, or switch to a different medication. These changes should be based on your doctor's orders.
• An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). Taking medicine to supplement exogenous thyroid hormone, such as   levothyroxine (thyroid replacement therapy).
• Pituitary tumor. Use medicine to reduce the size of the tumor or have surgery to remove it.

Sometimes the exact cause of Galactorrhea can't be determined. If nipple discharge is bothersome or persistent, your doctor will consider treating this symptom. Medications that block the effects of prolactin or reduce prolactin in the body can be effective. Side effects of these drugs often include nausea, dizziness, and headache.

Galactorrhea syndrome can have many different causes. Abnormal nipple discharge can cause a lot of discomfort and inconvenience. If you have signs and symptoms of this condition, see your doctor for a diagnosis, cause, and appropriate treatment.