It is more common for females to experience milky discharge from breasts, during their breast-feeding phases.
But if you are experiencing this milky discharge, even though you are not in any breast feeding phase, then it is something which you need to take concern.
This abnormal discharge is medically termed as Galactorrhea and this leakage of milk can normally start without any stimulation or when both of your breasts come in contact with each other.
Typically, this galactorrhea can affect both sexes, but most commonly women are affected with this condition of abnormal milk discharge from breasts.
Galactorrhea is not considered as exact disease rather it mainly implies an underlying problem of your health.
Is there any particular reason for this abnormal milk discharge?
The exact cause of galactorrhea is still unknown. But, most of the experts believe that it can often result from increased levels of prolactin (hormone responsible for the stimulation of milk production) in your body. Prolactin is mainly produced by your pituitary gland. This pea-sized gland, present at the base of your brain is considerably responsible for the secretion and regulation of several hormones of your body.
So, whenever the functioning of this pituitary gland disturbs or if any non-cancerous tumor develops in your pituitary gland, then it can lead to galactorrhea.
In females, galactorrhea is mainly associated with extreme breast stimulation or as a side effect of certain medications. Even it can be caused due to several hypothalamus disorders. In males, this galactorrhea is usually associated with erectile dysfunction and also with the lack of sexual desire, which is mainly caused due to testosterone deficiency.
Is galactorrhea associated with tumors in breast?
At times, even certain abnormal growth of tumor or lumps in your breast is also responsible for this abnormal milk discharge. Most of the tumors which can cause galactorrhea are usually considered as non-cancerous and they can be easily treated with suitable medications or even with surgery, depending on the cause of galactorrhea.
So, whenever you suspect any kind of abnormal lumps in your breast or if you suspect that any particular medicine is responsible for the abnormal milk discharge, then it is very essential for you to consult your personal doctor or any general physician to get appropriate diagnosis of the disease.
Sometimes, it becomes impossible for your doctor to find the exact cause for galactorrhea. Under such conditions, this abnormal milk discharge from the breasts is typically referred as idiopathic galactorrhea.
Often, there is no particular treatment for this galactorrhea and the abnormal milk discharge can eventually disappear on its own. Until then, you can follow certain guidelines which can help you to minimize the probability of experiencing milky discharge by simply staying away from stimulation of your breasts.
