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Breast Discharge Causes & Risks

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:
  • 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.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

Risk factors include:

  • Sex: female
  • Stress
  • Wearing clothing that irritates the nipple, such as:
    • Wool
    • Tight-fitting bra
  • Frequent (daily) breast self-exam or frequent breast stimulation

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