helene
Supporter
Joined: 03 Mar 2006
Posts: 363
Report abuse
|
 Posted: 04/10/06 - 18:34 Post subject: |
  |
|
Hi! I can think of two possible reasons of leaky breasts. One of them is mastitis, a breast infection that occurs when bacteria, usually from the skin surface, ends up in the breast tissue. This usually happens when there is a crack, most often in a nipple. Bacteria enter through the crack and makes a mess. It happens most often to women who are breastfeeding or those who had their nipples pierced.
Other symptoms that you may or may not experience if you suffer from mastitis are breast pain, breast lump, breast enlargement on one side only, swelling, tenderness, redness, and heat in breast tissue, nipple sensation changes, itching, flaking of the breast, fever, enlarged lymph node, etc
You should see a doc and have it checked, because if it is mastitis, you will need antibiotics to get rid of it.
Another possible reason is excessive levels of hormone prolactin that is present in breastfeeding women. In women who are not breastfeeding, it usually means there is an underlying medical condition.
Besides breast leakage, high prolactin levels could be interfering with your periods, decreasing libido, headaches, depression, vision problems, etc. Again, this problems may and may not be present.
The most common reason of excessive prolactin production is pituitary tumor, which is benign, never cancerous and it is actually more of a swelling. This kind of swelling interferes with estrogen production, and can cause those female period-related symptoms as well as some menopausal symptoms. It is treatable.
Other causes of excessive prolactin levels are underactive thyroid gland, chronic kidney failure, as well as treatment with some antihypertension drugs and antidepressants. Recreational illicit drugs intake as well marijuana could lead to prolactinoma, as well as some oral contraceptives.
You should see a doc about it. |
|
