Why would a mid 30's woman who isn't pregnant and had her last kid 16 years ago lactate?
Hi spotted dick
They call this non-puerperal lactation. Basically it just means lactating (producing breast milk) that is not caused by the woman giving birth.
Hormones in the body are responsible for starting breast milk production.
Prolactin is the main one and there is a range of different things that can cause a change in this hormone. Some examples are.
- Stimulation of the breast.
- Side effects of some medications.
- Has also been associated with certain mental states e.g. Very stressed
- Tumor on the pituitary gland.
I would just suggest that she goes to her family doctor for a checkup. They would be able to tell if it is a side effect of any medication she is on and also to make sure it is nothing serious that could be causing her to produce breast milk.
It can be common for people to think the worse when waiting for the doctors appointment just keep in mind that there are non serious causes of this e.g. Breast stimulation.
Also you can try calling healthlinkBC at 811 for additional information. Here is a link to their services.
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/index.stm
If you need help finding a doctor let me know.
HN
www.healthnurse.wordpress.com
www.stiresource.com
