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Galactorrhea??
Good day,
I gave birth via c-section a year ago after falling pregnant on the first cycle, my husband and I never used any form of contraceptive after I delivered and 1 year later were still not pregnant. I quit breastfeeding over 6 moths ago and my periods returned, albeit very irregularly. I saw my gynecologist today and she mentioned something called galactorrhea? I am still secreting milk, and I have been having very bad headaches. I have used the ovulation sticks for the past 2 cycles and tested for 2 straight weeks each cycle without any positives for ovulation. As it stands now, my period was due 02/16 and is still m.i.a. She has done a TSH blood test and prolactin test which I am waiting for the results for. Any further information or advice would be greatly appreciated. She said that if my levels were normal, the next step would be to check for tubal blockage and then possibly do an induction?? I don't know what all that means or what it involves?
Many thanks,
Melissa
I gave birth via c-section a year ago after falling pregnant on the first cycle, my husband and I never used any form of contraceptive after I delivered and 1 year later were still not pregnant. I quit breastfeeding over 6 moths ago and my periods returned, albeit very irregularly. I saw my gynecologist today and she mentioned something called galactorrhea? I am still secreting milk, and I have been having very bad headaches. I have used the ovulation sticks for the past 2 cycles and tested for 2 straight weeks each cycle without any positives for ovulation. As it stands now, my period was due 02/16 and is still m.i.a. She has done a TSH blood test and prolactin test which I am waiting for the results for. Any further information or advice would be greatly appreciated. She said that if my levels were normal, the next step would be to check for tubal blockage and then possibly do an induction?? I don't know what all that means or what it involves?
Many thanks,
Melissa
Thanks for your reply. My Dr has put me on 0.5 mg of Dostinex every 3 days for a month. She never told me the results of my blood tests in which she tested my thyroid and my prolactin levels. If I don't hear back from her in the next few days then I will go in to see her. Should I post the results on the forum for your analysis? I really appreciate you getting baack to me as I don't have anyone else to ask about this as my husband and family seem to think I'm being a hypochondriac.
Kind regards,
Melissa
Kind regards,
Melissa
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!
It is fairly common to have continued breast milk secretion for quite some time after discontinuing breastfeeding. Your prolactin level should be normal though, and if not, it could be that you have a pituitary adenoma--this could cause headaches, milk, and irregular periods. I assume your doctor will want to image your pituitary gland if your prolactin level is high.
If your levels are normal, ovulation induction would be the next sensible step. Probably with a mild medication such as Clomid or Femara. It sounds like you are not ovulating regularly, and a medication such as this could help with that.
I doubt that you have a tubal blockage, unless you had an infection after your delivery.
I'll bet that once you start ovulating you will get results!
Good luck!
Dr B
It is fairly common to have continued breast milk secretion for quite some time after discontinuing breastfeeding. Your prolactin level should be normal though, and if not, it could be that you have a pituitary adenoma--this could cause headaches, milk, and irregular periods. I assume your doctor will want to image your pituitary gland if your prolactin level is high.
If your levels are normal, ovulation induction would be the next sensible step. Probably with a mild medication such as Clomid or Femara. It sounds like you are not ovulating regularly, and a medication such as this could help with that.
I doubt that you have a tubal blockage, unless you had an infection after your delivery.
I'll bet that once you start ovulating you will get results!
Good luck!
Dr B
Hi!
Here is the definition of galactorrhea:
1. Any white discharge from the nipple that is persistent and looks like milk.
2. Continued discharge of milk from the breasts between intervals of nursing or after the child has been weaned.
What you are probably experiencing, considering your doctor stated you have this, is the continued decrease in estrogen production that happens while you are breastfeeding. This is why some women have periods, and others don't while breastfeeding, and some women can get pregnant while breastfeeding, and others can't. Everyone is different. But most often, while breastfeeding, your body will produce less estrogen, thus causing a hiatus in your menses, which will slow if not cease ovulation.
If you are still secreting milk, then your body is still producing a lesser amoutn of estrogen than usual, which is likley what is hindering your ability to conceive, hence your ovulation tests being negative.
I am not sure what can be done for this, but you should notice some regulation in your periods and ovulation cycles once your galactorrhea stops or slows.
Here is the definition of galactorrhea:
1. Any white discharge from the nipple that is persistent and looks like milk.
2. Continued discharge of milk from the breasts between intervals of nursing or after the child has been weaned.
What you are probably experiencing, considering your doctor stated you have this, is the continued decrease in estrogen production that happens while you are breastfeeding. This is why some women have periods, and others don't while breastfeeding, and some women can get pregnant while breastfeeding, and others can't. Everyone is different. But most often, while breastfeeding, your body will produce less estrogen, thus causing a hiatus in your menses, which will slow if not cease ovulation.
If you are still secreting milk, then your body is still producing a lesser amoutn of estrogen than usual, which is likley what is hindering your ability to conceive, hence your ovulation tests being negative.
I am not sure what can be done for this, but you should notice some regulation in your periods and ovulation cycles once your galactorrhea stops or slows.
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