Galactorrhea
| Classification according to ICD-10 | |
|---|---|
| O92.6 | Galactorrhea |
| ICD-10 online (WHO version 2019) | |
Galactorrhea (of . Greek γάλα, Gála ; genitive γάλακτος, Galaktos , "milk" and ῥέω , Rheo , "I flow"), also known under the spelling galactorrhoea (rare) or Galactorrhöe and galactorrhea , known locally as the (pathological) milk flow called , describes the leakage of breast milk or breast milk- like secretion from the breast in female mammals without pregnancy or the puerperium and without continued breastfeeding , or much less often and for other reasons, also from male nipples.
In some women, squeezing the nipple can cause milk to flow, as the stimulation releases the hormone prolactin , a sex hormone that has a supportive function when breastfeeding. The prolactin level can rise in women when they take hormonal contraceptives such as the birth control pill , consume drugs or have psychological problems and are under stress, but also as a side effect of antihypertensive drugs and neuroleptics .
The flow of milk is usually harmless and in half of the cases no cause can be found. However, a visit to the doctor is advised if the milk flow is persistent, only occurs on one side, emerges on its own, causes pain, smells and / or is sticky, purulent or bloody, as this could be an indication of an early stage of breast cancer . Galactorrhea can occur in both sexes, children ( virgin milk) and even in babies ( witch's milk ); a diagnostic work-up should always be carried out in adult men.
If galactorrhea occurs in newborns, there is usually nothing to worry about. It is believed that the mother's hormone production during pregnancy is responsible for this. The prolactin and estrogen formed are intended to prepare the expectant mother for the later breastfeeding process during pregnancy. However, it can happen that the hormones enter the unborn child's organism via the supply channel. These hormones can cause the baby's mammary glands to swell and release milk secretions after the baby is born. However, the apparently unusual milk production lasts for a maximum of one to two weeks.
This phenomenon was discovered in newborns as early as the 16th century. A scientific explanation as one has it today, however, was inconceivable at these times. Since the phenomenon could not be explained, it was attributed to evil forces. It was believed that bewitched birds and witches in bird form visited and enchanted children. The secretion, which was considered toxic at the time, was therefore called witch's milk.
A flow of milk with a simultaneous absence of menstrual bleeding ( amenorrhea ) can indicate a prolactinoma .
See also
Web links
- Image of a sonographed breast showing galactorrhea
- Information on prolactin excess and milk flow in women
Individual evidence
- ↑ Brigitte Gebauer-Sesterhenn, Manfred Praun: The large GU baby book. 2nd Edition. Gräfe and Unzer Verlag, Munich 2005, p. 54.
