Causes
Galactorrhea has many causes, though sometimes the cause is unknown. Tumors of the pituitary gland, called pituitary adenomas or prolactinomas, can cause galactorrhea. The pituitary is a small gland attached to the brain. Pituitary tumors are usually not cancerous. They can cause galactorrhea when they produce excess prolactin, a hormone that stimulates milk production.
Other causes of galactorrhea include:
- Hormonal imbalance, such as hypothyroidism
-
Some medicines, such as:
- Stopping or starting to take birth control pills or other hormones
- Blood pressure drugs
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Tranquilizers (antipsychotics)
- Antinausea drugs
- Some antigastroesophageal reflux medicines
- Some pain killers
- Certain herbs, including:
-
Illicit drugs, such as:
- Marijuana
- Opiates
- Sexual stimulation of the breast
-
Certain diseases, including:
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- Chronic kidney failure
- Chronic liver disease ( cirrhosis )
- Sarcoidosis
- Chronic emotional stress
- Hypothalamic tumors or disease (eg, tuberculosis )
-
Chest wall conditions, such as:
- Shingles
- Trauma
- Burns
- Surgical scars
- Tumors of chest wall
- In newborns, high levels of circulating hormones (estrogen) may result in enlarged breast tissue and secretion of milk.
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