Can a woman have breast milk flow without breastfeeding? – Breast milk production is normally stimulated following delivery of a baby. However, breast milk sometimes flows when a woman is neither pregnant nor breastfeeding. This condition is medically known as galactorrhoea. In this condition, breast milk may leak from the breast spontaneously or when the nipple is touched.

What does milk discharge from the breast without breastfeeding indicate?

It sometimes indicates an underlying health condition which causes the hormone that stimulates breast milk production (prolactin) to increase in quantity in the blood stream. 

Who can be affected by this condition?

It often affects women of reproductive age, especially between the ages of 20-35 years. It may affect men and children also.

What causes breast milk flow without breastfeeding?

This is commonly caused by a tumour (swelling) in a portion of the brain (pituitary gland). This tumour (often benign – i.e. not cancerous) stimulates the production of excess prolactin (hormone that stimulates milk production). The excess prolactin stimulates the breasts to start producing milk, as occurs in breastfeeding women. Apart from this, other causes of breast milk discharge without breastfeeding include:

1. Excessive stimulation of breast such as during sexual activities or breast self-examination
2. Certain drugs used for the treatment of hypertension, depression and some contraceptive pills
3. Certain herbal medications
4. Chronic (long-standing) kidney disease
5. Thyroid disease

What other symptoms are associated with breast milk discharge?

The following symptoms may also occur in women with breast milk discharge that is not associated with breastfeeding:

1. Irregular menstruation or complete cessation of menstruation
2. Vaginal dryness
3. Reduced sex drive
4. Persistent headache
5. Erectile dysfunction (if it occurs in men)

How is this condition treated?

Treatment depends on the cause:

1. No treatment: In mild cases, there may not be need for treatment as the condition may be self-limiting (goes away on its own). 
2. Discontinuation of activities that overstimulate the nipples: In women who have breast milk discharge following nipple stimulation, avoiding excessive nipple stimulation may help curtail milk release without additional medication.
3. Change of medication: In patients who develop breast milk discharge following drug treatment of certain underlying medical conditions, a change of the medication to other ones without similar side effect may help curtail the condition without the need to take any medication to treat it.
4. Drug treatment: Drug treatment may be required in order to stop milk discharge from the breast when the above measures either do not apply or fail to stop the problem. Drugs used include: bromocryptine and cabergoline. These help in lowering prolactin levels, which ultimately leads to cessation of breast milk discharge. They may help in shrinking pituitary tumour responsible for excess prolactin secretion.
5. Treatment of underlying medical conditions: These include – thyroid disease (hypothyroidism) and chronic kidney disease.
6. Wearing firm bra: This will prevent the nipples from constantly rubbing against the overlying clothing which may stimulate them, leading to breast milk discharge.
7. Surgery: Surgery may be necessary to remove pituitary tumour that cannot be shrunken by the use of medication
8. Radiotherapy: Sometimes, radiation is used to shrink pituitary tumour in order to avoid surgery.

What are preventive measures for breast milk discharge?

Breast milk discharge described here is difficult to prevent, especially because most of the causes are internal to the persons affected. However, some external factors leading to breast milk discharge can be controlled. These include:

1. Avoiding overstimulation of nipples during sex or multiple breast self-examination
2. Avoiding cloths that rub constantly on the breasts, thereby stimulating milk production