My sister has not breastfed for 5 years. Recently her breasts began leaking what she says looks like breastmilk. She is unsure what to think of it. She is not pregnant (tubal ligation after last birth) she says they are tender but she doesn't feel any lumps. She described the feeling like after having nursed and they are refilling. I would appreciate any advice people could give her, if they have had similar experiences. Thank You!
Thank you to all the people that responded. My sister had the blood drawn on weds, they called and told her there was nothing wrong with her today, i dont know what to do, she wont go see another doctor but something is obviously wrong she has severe headaches (blinding sometimes) she has leakage problems and she is constantly tired. She goes to the ER at least 2 times a yaer with the horrible headaches and dizziness but the doctors always say there is nothing wrong and she is "only stressed" arrrrrggggghhhh. Thank you to people that gave advice, i just wish that Drs would start paying attention to my sister.
Hello,
I have heard that if both breasts are leaking, she may have a systemic hormone issue. Hormones that control female issues originate in teh pitutary gland in the head, or the ovaries in the public reagion. This sounds like a pituitary problem. If it is one breast, it could be breast trauma, or could be the sign of a breast tumor. In any event, she needs to see a doctor.
Best wishes,
~H~
I would strongly urge you to have your sister go to the doctor NOW. If she hasn't lactated in 5 years and is now having discharge, it needs to be checked. It may be nothing or an infection or something else. The point is that a doctor needs to evaluate it. Good luck! Liz
I would like to give this suggestion only, because this is a way that many women stopped their breasts from producing milk without pills when they were no longer offered in the hospitals. Which, this is still the case with most hospitals. I had put a belt around my chest for a few days. Not to tight but enough where there is presure on your breasts. If you can do this under your clothes, great but usually I did it at bed time. what this does, it stops the breasts from getting stimulated and then ingorged(filled with milk). Even thou she dosen't produce as much as if she were pregnant, it can still be enough to be annoying and can cause break through leaking, which is, when you can leak through your blouse and even sometimes your bra. Using a belt more or less tells them that they should not produce anymore milk. Usually after a few days, this sensation starts slowing down or can even stop. Your sister does not have to be pregnant to produce milk. I did for several years before I had childen. This actually happens alot with many women. Some women after being aroused, or when they are around the sounds of crying children, their breasts become stimulated and start leaking alittle or alot. Your sister can try doing this for a few days and if this dosen't help and it gets worse than I would definetly tell her to check with her doctor. Sometimes wearing breast pads can help her feel aliitle more comfortable. I will say this is usually nothing to be concerned about but seeing her doctor is best, just to be sure. I do hope this information has helped you. It certainly helped me.
This is not unheard of for women in perimenopause--it's caused by a shift in hormones.
If it were me, I would still do a pregnancy test. My husband's aunt got pregnant late in life AFTER a tubal ligation--it can happen!
Tell her to have her Prolactin checked by her doctor. This is the hormone that makes a women lactate. It can elevate and give symptoms such as this even if you aren't expecting. Her doctor can give more insight to it. Good Luck.
I would take a test just in case. Maybe it wasn't 100%.
She needs to see her doctor, this can often be a sign of an issue with her pituitary gland. Also, an endochrinologist would be a good person to see but she may need a referral for insurance purposes. Good Luck to your sister.
I think the best way to find out what's going on is to see a doctor. Leaking breasts can be a sign of several things and only the doctor will be able to make a diagnosis. I would encourage your sister to go as soon as possible...as moms we tend to put off taking care of ourselves but that really isn't a good idea. Good luck.
I'd suggest you go to the dr and request a mammogram. I believe my sis-in-law had the same issue. For her, it was a symptom of a problem that needed to be addressed.
K.
Hi E.-
Your sister might want to get her prolactin level checked. When I was having problems trying to get pregnant, that was one thing they check me for (however I was not leaking), and I had a high prolatin level, but whenever I went to see a doctor/lab for it, the first thing they would ask me is if I had been leaking from my breasts. I guess that is a side effect of high prolactin.
