Galactorrhea is an abnormal flow of milk from the breasts. Although the onset of this phenomenon is still poorly understood, galactorrhea often involves hormonal imbalance.

Galactorrhea is a medical term used for abnormal nipple discharge. This is characterized by a white color and a milky appearance. This breast milk discharge can appear spontaneously or be caused by pressure on the breasts. Galactorrhea is usually bilateral, that is, it occurs in both breasts.

Galactorrhea in women

In women, galactorrhea more accurately designates abnormal lactation. It corresponds to a breast discharge except pregnancy and breastfeeding period. Indeed, during these periods, a normal breast discharge can occur.

Galactorrhea in men

In some rare cases, galactorrhea may be seen in men.

Galactorrhea is a symptom whose causes are not yet fully known. In 60% of cases, the origin is unknown. Galactorrhea is said to be idiopathic.

In other cases, galactorrhea is often associated with hyperprolactinemia, a hormonal imbalance characterized by excessive production of prolactin. Secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain, this hormone is responsible for the flow of milk through the breasts. This hormonal imbalance can have several explanations:

• pituitary gland involvement, the best known of which is prolactinoma, sometimes called a prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma, which is a tumor in the pituitary gland characterized by excessive secretion of prolactin;
• damage to the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, in particular in the event of a tumor in the hypothalamus, of a compression or of a traumatic section of the pituitary stem connecting the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus, or of an infiltrating disease such as sarcoidosis;
• certain extracerebral disorders, abnormalities outside the brain such as Cushing’s syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), chest lesions and cirrhosis;
• an iatrogenic origin, when hyperprolactinemia occurs when taking certain medications, especially those based on steroids, anti-androgens, psychotropics, morphines, anti-emetics, antihypertensives, diuretics, or even methadone .

However, according to current scientific data, galactorrhea is not always associated with hyperprolactinemia. Other hormonal imbalances can explain the abnormal breast discharge:

• a Acromegaly, a disease characterized by excessive production of growth hormone;
• adrenal pathology, that is to say a disease affecting the adrenal glands located above each kidney and responsible for the secretion of several hormones;
• dysthyroidism, which is a dysfunction of the thyroid, an endocrine gland located in the neck.

The consequences and the course of galactorrhea vary. The flow of milk from the nipples can be a nuisance in everyday life. In some cases, galactorrhea can persist over time. Depending on its origin, white breast discharge may also be accompanied by other symptoms.

In women, galactorrhea can sometimes be accompanied by:

• an amenorrhea, that is, the absence of menstruation;
• oligomenorrhea, a symptom characterized by light periods;
• spaniomenorrhea, a progressive lengthening of the interval between the rules.

In humans, other signs can appear such as:

• of the headaches, or headache;
• visual disturbances ;
• a loss of libido ;
• erectile dysfunction.

The management consists of treating the origin of the galactorrhea. Depending on the case, the treatment may in particular be based on:

• drug treatment;
• a surgery ;
• radiation therapy.