Milk Production

  THis month I have had several symptoms of pregnancy: fatigue, naseua, breast
  tenderness, and I have a milk discharge coming from both breasts.  I
  have taken several pregnancy tests, all have been negative.  I have been
  tested for elevated levels of prolactin, thyroid disease, and so on, but everything
  has been normal.  I got my period two days ago.  I had terrible cramping, through my
  back, abdomen, and legs.  My breasts are still producing milk and I still
  feel the naseua in the morning.  What could be causing this?
  Rae
Dear Rae:
Pseudocyesis (phantom pregnancy) is a condition seen in several mammals, including man. The individual has all the symptoms of pregnancy; the hormone measurements have many patterns, but often mirror pregnancy; breast secretions are released; the pregnancy test is negative. The symptoms often revert and menstrual cycles resume when the patient is convinced by testing that she believes accurate shows there is no pregnancy.
Persistent corpus luteum is a condition in which the corpus luteum (yellow body, the site on the ovary from which the egg is released) fails to self-destruct after 2 weeks without pregnancy. It is not common to have pregnancy-suggestive symptoms with this condition.
I assume that you meant to say that the Prolactin and TSH tests were normal. A high TSH and high prolactin, consistent with hypothyroidism, could also explain many of these symptoms.
This information is provided for general education purposes only and is not a medical consultation. If you have specific questions, please contact your physician.