Table of contents:
- How can breastmilk be produced by the body when you are not pregnant or breastfeeding?
- What should I do if milk comes out of the breast?
- When should I see a doctor?
Are not pregnant or breastfeeding, but milk can come out of the breast, where is it possible? However, in reality this can happen. Not all women experience this, but some women have and it can happen to anyone.
The body produces breast milk naturally, which occurs during pregnancy, in order to prepare breast milk as food for the baby. Breast milk produced by the body when you are not pregnant or breastfeeding can have a number of causes. This happens because there are hormones that are similar to hormones related to breast milk production.
How can breastmilk be produced by the body when you are not pregnant or breastfeeding?
Your breasts can produce milk if there are hormones that are similar to the hormones estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin, which are three of these hormones your body releases to produce milk. Hormones that are similar to the body's three natural hormones can be obtained from hormone supplements and / or physical stimulation. With this similar hormone, your body can produce breast milk without getting pregnant first.
Breasts that secrete milk when they are not pregnant or breastfeeding are known as galactorrhea. Galactorrhea can occur in one or both breasts. The milk that is released can be greenish to yellowish in color. Galactorrhea can occur in women who have been pregnant, but it can occur in any woman. Galactorrhea can be caused by:
- Breast stimulation similar to that of breastfeeding. This can occur by squeezing the nipple, sexual arousal, or rubbing against clothing. Nerve stimulation that can cause galactorrhea can also occur in surgery / trauma / burns to the chest, shingles, or chronic emotional stress. Surgical procedures can produce serum prolactin, which is the cause of galactorrhea.
- Side effects from using drugs, such as H2 blockers (cimetidine / tagamet), birth control pills, metoclopramide (reglan), sulpiride, psychotropic drugs, antihypertensives (methyldopa, reserpine, verapamil, atenolol), and other drugs.
- Tumor of the pituitary. This is the most common cause of galactorrhea. The most common type of pituitary tumor is a prolactinoma, a non-cancerous benign tumor. These tumors can trigger an excess of hormones which can cause hormonal abnormalities.
- Sometimes, galactorrhea is associated with chronic kidney failure which can increase the production of the hormone prolactin.
- Galactorrhea can also be caused by hypothyroidism, but this is rare.
What should I do if milk comes out of the breast?
The first thing you can do if there is fluid discharge from your breasts while you are not pregnant is to stop stimulating your breasts in any way. Stop touching or squeezing your nipples, do not sexual stimulate your breasts, and avoid wearing tight clothing. You should also change your diet to be healthier and do regular exercise.
If you have done things like the above, but the galactorrhea you are experiencing doesn't stop, maybe this is due to other reasons, such as drug use or other diseases. You should immediately check with your doctor to find out the cause and get treatment from a doctor. If galactorrhea is caused by a drug side effect, your doctor may make changes to your medication. If galactorrhea occurs due to disease, your doctor will prescribe you medication.
When should I see a doctor?
Galactorrhea that occurs as a result of excessive stimulation of the nipples during sexual activity may not be harmful. Although galactorrhea may not be dangerous, it can be dangerous if it persists or may be a sign of another, more dangerous disease. For that, you should immediately check with your doctor if galactorrhea continues to bother you and you feel this is not something normal to happen to you.
Some abnormal things that can happen and should be treated immediately by a doctor are if:
- Fluid may drain continuously from one or both breasts, even if you are not pregnant or breastfeeding.
- The discharge from your nipples contains blood or pus, and has a sticky texture.
- Fluid discharge suddenly without stimulation of the nipple.
- Fluid discharge suddenly from your nipples (galactorrhea) for months, far from the time after you have had a child.
- You have recovered from the miscarriage, but you have galactorrhea a few months after the miscarriage.
