QUESTION: I have been seeing a milky liquid coming from my breasts and it is beginning to worry me, given I am a male. What could be the problem? Joseph.
Response: Dear Joseph,
Galactorrhea is a milky nipple discharge unrelated to the normal milk production of breast feeding.
It is not a disease. However, it could be a sign of an underlying problem.
Galactorrhea not only happens in men and infants, but in women too.
In women, it occurs both before having children and after menopause.
In men, it is associated with testosterone deficiency (male hypogonadism) and can occur with breast enlargement or tenderness (gynecomastia), erectile dysfunction and a lack of sexual desire.
Like infants, this milky discharge in men should resolve on its own, but if it is persistent or if it occurs with manifestations suggesting testosterone deficiency as listed above, it should be evaluated by a gynecologist.
Answered by Dr Molino Binywasiki of Mulago National Ref. Hospital.
