Breast milk production is a process called lactation. Lactation is common among pregnant or recently delivered women. Your body’s mammary glands receive hormonal instructions to start producing milk to feed the baby. Prolactin and a number of other hormones are produced and controlled by the pituitary gland, a tiny organ located at the base of the brain.
However, men can also lactate, as can women who have never been pregnant. This condition is known as galactorrhea, and there are numerous causes causing it. People who are not pregnant may occasionally lactate if they have issues with the pituitary gland, such as a noncancerous tumor or another pituitary condition.
Having too much prolactin, the hormone responsible for producing milk when you have a kid, frequently causes this. Your pituitary gland, a little bean-shaped gland at the base of your brain that secretes and controls a number of hormones, is responsible for producing prolactin. According to Mayo clinic, here are a few potential reasons why some women may produce breast milk even when they are not pregnant.
1. Drugs, including some sedatives, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and blood pressure medications.
2. A prolactinoma, a non-cancerous pituitary tumor, or another pituitary gland disorder.
3. An unbalanced thyroid (hypothyroidism).
4. Kidney disease that is chronic.
5. Chest surgery, burns, or other chest injuries that cause nerve damage to the chest wall
6. damage, tumors, or surgery on the spinal cord and stress.
Prevention.
Many of the factors that contribute to lactation, such as hormone imbalances, tumors, or other illnesses, are out of our control. However, there are a few things you may do at home to lessen your chance of lactating even though you aren’t pregnant, such as:
1. Steer clear of bras or outfits that aggravate your nipples.
2. Steer clear of overstimulating the breasts.
3. Using healthy stress-reduction techniques.
