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Galactorrhea

Kelley V. Lawrence, IBCLC, MD, Madeleine Cutrone, md and Ryan Accomazzo, MPH, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTIONPEDIATRIC CONSIDERATIONS

  • Milky nipple discharge not associated with lactation, defined as >1 year after pregnancy or cessation of breastfeeding.

  • Does not include serous, purulent, o...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Usually bilateral milky nipple discharge that may be spontaneous or induced by stimulation.

  • Determine possibility of pregnancy or recent discontinuation of lactation

  • Association with in...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Identify and treat the underlying cause.

  • Idiopathic galactorrhea (normal prolactin levels) does not require treatment (3)[C].

  • Avoid excess nipple stimulation.

  • Discontinue causa...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Check prolactin levels every month until normalized. After levels normalize, check again every three months while on dopamine agonist therapy. A...

REFERENCES

1
Majumdar A, Mangal NS. Hyperprolactinemia. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2013;6(3):168-75.
2
Huang  W, Molitch  ME. Evaluation and management of galactorrhea. Am Fam Physician. ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Bruehlman RD, Winters S, McKittrick C. Galactorrhea: Rapid Evidence Review. Am Fam Physician. 2022;106:695-700.

  • DiVasta AD, Weld...

CODES

ICD10

  • N64.3 Galactorrhea not associated with childbirth

  • N64.52 Nipple discharge

SNOMED

  • 78622004 Galactorrhea not associated with childbirth (disorder)

  • 54302000 Discharge from nipple (disorder)

  • 1981150...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Galactorrhea is a common disorder, affecting up to 50% of reproductive-age women.

  • Galactorrhea is defined as bilateral milk production, usually milky, but can be varied.

  • Common causes in...

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