Listen
Print: What causes galactorrhea?
Galactorrhea has many causes, some of which include the following:
- Tumors (usually benign, or not cancerous), especially tumors of the pituitary (say: "pit-too-it-terry") gland, which is located in the brain
- Medicines such as hormones, antidepressants, blood pressure medicines and certain tranquilizers
- Herbal supplements such as nettle, fennel, blessed thistle, anise and fenugreek seed
- Drugs such as marijuana and opiates
- Pregnancy
- Clothing that irritates the breasts (such as scratchy wool shirts or bras that don't fit well)
- Doing very frequent breast self-exams (daily exams)
- Stimulation of the breast during sexual activity
- Kidney disease
- Oral contraceptives
- An underactive thyroid (also called hypothyroidism), which is a gland that produces hormones
Sometimes the cause of galactorrhea can't be found.
Next: Diagnosis & Tests
Source
Evaluation and Treatment of Galactorrhea by Kristin S. Pena, M.D., and Jo Ann Rosenfeld, M.D. (American Family Physician May 01, 2001, http://www.aafp.org/afp/20010501/1763.html)
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff
Reviewed/Updated: 08/10
Created: 05/01
