Is it possible to produce breast milk without being pregnant

Published on: 26 February 2021, 14:18 pm IST

Table of Contents Show

Lactate Without Being Pregnant – Reasons to Be Concerned
Reasons for Milk Production Without Being Pregnant
Milk Secretion Without Being Pregnant Needs Medical Treatment

You might find it quite shocking that your breast can ooze out milk, even when you aren’t pregnant. Women and even men can release a milky discharge from their nipples – and this condition is called galactorrhea or hyperlactation.

But why exactly does this happen? Well, overproduction of the hormone prolactin has a big role to play in this. Prolactin is a hormone that is produced in the brain by the pituitary gland. It is responsible for the growth and development of our breasts. When pregnant, prolactin is stimulated to produce breast milk for the child.

Research studies are still being conducted, and not much is known as to why an increase in prolactin happens.

In her recent Instagram video, millennial doctor and influencer, Tanaya Narendra aka Dr Cuterus has addressed this weird problem. She has highlighted some relevant causes for hyperlactation. Here’s what she has to say:

Regular breast check-ups are a must. Image courtesy: Unsplash

Four major reasons for a leaky breast, when you are not even pregnant

1. Hormonal imbalance
2. Stimulating your breasts way too much – this can be during sexual activity, frequent breast exams, or even your clothes rubbing against your breasts.
3. Certain medications
4. And lastly, due to a tumor

There are studies that also suggest that if you suffer from PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome, you could suffer from this issue. Well, the reason is the same – hormonal imbalance.

Other than these four major reasons, the other causes that can contribute to this milky nipple discharge can be thyroid malfunctioning, disease of hypothalamus, and chronic stress.

There are other symptoms other than this that indicate hyperlactation. Here they are

1. Breast enlargement
2. Irregular periods
3. Acne
4. Abnormal hair growth
5. Problem in vision
6. Severe headache
7. Nausea

Ladies, there is no need to get paranoid, because Dr Cuterus says a doctor can help you tackle this problem with medication.

Check her post out to know more:

In case there is some underlying medical condition that is causing this, then your doctor will conduct several tests to detect the issue.

So ladies, if ever you experience milky discharge from your nipples, then make sure to visit a doctor immediately.

Lactation is the process of milk production in the mammary glands in women. Lactation is considered normal for every woman ho is expecting or who has recently given birth to a child. The secretion of the milk depends from two hormones prolactin and oxytocin. The role of both these hormones is to prepare the mammary glands for milk production during pregnancy, to stimulate uterine contractions after childbirth and to initiate the process of lactation few days after the child is born. However, in some cases women can lactate without being pregnant (Read also: No Periods and Not Pregnant).

Lactate Without Being Pregnant – Reasons to Be Concerned

Some of the reasons for milk production without being pregnant and giving birth first include:

Galactorrhea – is the most common cause of milk secretion without breastfeeding. It is a milky and white discharge. This condition is not normal and indicates an underlying problem that needs to be investigated. It can be caused due to pituitary gland problems, but it can also result as a side effect of various medications. Proper diagnosis and treatment of the underlying condition that has led to galactorrhea is necessary. Rarely, galactorrhea affects also men and children.
Side effects of medication – the lactation without being related to pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding can also occur as a side effect of various medications such as anti – depressants, birth control pills, etc.
Pituitary gland tumors – usually as they grow in size produce increased amounts of the hormone prolactin. As a result of increased levels of prolactin, the production of milk is stimulated.

Reasons for Milk Production Without Being Pregnant

Nerve damage – any physical trauma or other injuries of the breast and chest wall also induce lactation.
Hypothyroidism – can be associated with higher quantities of prolactin than usual, which can lead to lactation.
Chronic kidney diseases – women who suffer from chronic kidney diseases usually have higher levels of prolactin than normal, due to the fact that the kidney are not able to filtrate and eliminate this hormone as it should. High levels of prolactin induce the process of milk production.
Hormonal imbalance – which occurs during miscarriage also may indicate lactation without being pregnant.
Injuries of the spinal cords – also induce lactation due to the stimulation of the endocrine glands.
Consumption of certain herbs – like fennel, cumin or kelabat may induce lactation.

Milk Secretion Without Being Pregnant Needs Medical Treatment

You should seek medical help immediately and consult with a Brooklyn OBGYN as soon as you notice white and milky discharge that comes from your breasts, but you are not pregnant or you have not given birth recently. It could all be something not serious like consumption of certain herbs, hormonal imbalance or as a side effect of certain medications that you have started to take recently. However, keep in mind that it could be due to something more serious like pituitary gland tumors, which requires proper diagnosis and medical treatment.

No matter what the reason for milk secretion without being pregnant is, seek proper medical help, get diagnosed, and get treated.

If you have any questions about galactorrhea, schedule an appointment with the highly-qualified gynecologists in Brooklyn and Staten Island, New York. Do not ignore the problem and receive the appropriate screening, diagnostic, and treatment plan from the best-rated specialists in New York City.