Galactorrhea 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:
  • Nettle
  • Fennel
  • Blessed thistle
  • Anise
  • Fenugreek seed
• Illicit drugs, such as:
  • Marijuana
  • Opiates
• Sexual stimulation of the breast
• Certain diseases, including:
  • Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
  • Chronic kidney failure
  • Chronic liver disease ( Cirrhosis )
  • Sarcoidosis
• 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.