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What Causes Milk Discharge After Discontinuing Breast Feeding?

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Posted on Tue, 26 May 2015
Question: I stopped breastfeeding 9 months ago and I have milk coming out all of a sudden why?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Soumen Patra (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Need proper evaluation. Mild discharge is normal.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

Milky nipple discharge without pregnancy or breast feeding is called galactorrhea in medical term. It occurs mostly due to elevation of PROLACTIN hormone and is seen in 5 to 30% women of reproductive age group.

Little amount milky discharge is LESS significant and quite physiological. If it occurs in large amount or on regular basis or spontaneously, then underlying pathological conditions are needed to investigate properly. 50% of the cases are without any pathology.

COMMON CAUSES:

1) Excessive nipple stimulation or breast massage during sexual excitement.

2) Hormonal causes like hyperprolactinemia & hypothyroid state with elevated levels of TSH or TRH hormones

3) Certain medications (methyldopa, opiates, antipsychotics, serotonin reuptake inhibitors)

4) pituitary adenomas (causing overproduction of prolactin or compression of the pituitary stalk.

INVESTIGATION: You need to undergo blood test for prolactin level, complete thyroid profile and pelvic ultrasound scan initially as you have missed period.

In addition, one CT scan of brain & ultrasound scan of breast are advisable in case of ABNORMAL report of above mentioned tests.

Kindly, consult with your gynecologist regarding this for proper guidance. Take proper treatment according to test reports.

Hope, it helps for your information. Kindly, close the discussion if you don't have any other query.

Wish your good health and take care yourself.

Regards,
Dr S Patra

For future query, you can directly approach me through

http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=63326
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Soumen Patra

OB & GYN Specialist

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 4060 Questions

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What Causes Milk Discharge After Discontinuing Breast Feeding?

Brief Answer: Need proper evaluation. Mild discharge is normal. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for writing to us. Milky nipple discharge without pregnancy or breast feeding is called galactorrhea in medical term. It occurs mostly due to elevation of PROLACTIN hormone and is seen in 5 to 30% women of reproductive age group. Little amount milky discharge is LESS significant and quite physiological. If it occurs in large amount or on regular basis or spontaneously, then underlying pathological conditions are needed to investigate properly. 50% of the cases are without any pathology. COMMON CAUSES: 1) Excessive nipple stimulation or breast massage during sexual excitement. 2) Hormonal causes like hyperprolactinemia & hypothyroid state with elevated levels of TSH or TRH hormones 3) Certain medications (methyldopa, opiates, antipsychotics, serotonin reuptake inhibitors) 4) pituitary adenomas (causing overproduction of prolactin or compression of the pituitary stalk. INVESTIGATION: You need to undergo blood test for prolactin level, complete thyroid profile and pelvic ultrasound scan initially as you have missed period. In addition, one CT scan of brain & ultrasound scan of breast are advisable in case of ABNORMAL report of above mentioned tests. Kindly, consult with your gynecologist regarding this for proper guidance. Take proper treatment according to test reports. Hope, it helps for your information. Kindly, close the discussion if you don't have any other query. Wish your good health and take care yourself. Regards, Dr S Patra For future query, you can directly approach me through http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=63326