Is one or both of your breast nipples leaking? And is your discharge occurring for no reason, e.g. not breast feeding or you’re a man? Your health condition is referred to as galactorrhea, and yes men can have it too.
Galactorrhea means you are experiencing milky nipple discharge that’s not related to lactation. One or both of your nipples may flow with white, yellow or green colored fluid, which may ooze regularly, intermittently or only when stimulated. And you could experience some of these other symptoms in concert with your galactorrhea:
- acne
- hirsutism
- headaches
- amenorrhea
- vision problems
- sexual disinterest
- irregular menstrual cycles
See your health care provider ASAP if your nipple seepage appears to contain blood, e.g. reddish.
A common cause of galactorrhea is too much prolactin, a hormone produced by your pituitary gland. Frequently, prolactin excess is a result of a pituitary tumor. However, there are many other potential causes of glactorrhea, for instance:
- pregnancy
- hypothyroidism
- chronic kidney disease
- spinal cord injury, spinal tumors
- local nerve damage ~ surgery, burns
- breast irritation ~ clothing, self exams, sex related stimulation
- herbal supplements ~ nettle, fennel, blessed thistle, anise, fenugreek seed
Taking certain types of drugs could be your nipple discharge cause as well, like:
- opiates
- marijuana
- tranquilizers
- antidepressants
- oral contraceptives
- hormone replacement
- high blood pressure medication
If you are a man experiencing galactorrhea, then testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism) might account for your discharging nipple complaint.
Galactorrhea treatment focuses on treating the cause. Should the inducement for your nipple discharge be unknown, there are medications available that may help eliminate your embarrassing leakage. For many, this annoying health condition resolves itself in time without any specific treatment.