Galactorrhea (synonyms: pathological breast milk discharge; nipple discharge; ICD-10-GM O92.6-: Galactorrhea, puerperal galactorrhea; ICD-10-GM N64.3: Galactorrhea, not related to childbirth; nonpuerperal galactorrhea, nonpuerperal galactorrhea) refers to spontaneous milk discharge from the nipple (breast).
Frequently, galactorrhea is also referred to as a bilateral (both sides) milky secretion.
Galactorrhea is classified as follows:
- Grade I: only a few drops can be expressed.
- Grade II: at least 1 ml of liquid expressible
- Grade III: intermittent spontaneous milk secretion.
- Grade IV: constant discharge of milk flow.
Galactorrhea can be unilateral or bilateral. In most cases, it is painless.
During the lactation phase (breastfeeding phase) galactorrhea is physiological (normal) during breaks in breastfeeding.
Galactorrhea can be a symptom of many diseases (see under “Differential diagnoses”).
Sex ratio: predominantly women are affected. In rare cases, galactorrhea is also observed in men and children.
Frequency peak: nonpuerperal (“outside the puerperal period”) galactorrhea occurs predominantly between the 3rd and 4th decade of life.
The prevalence (disease incidence) is 1% of all pre-menopausal (female menopausal) women. The prevalence is higher in women who have had multiple children.
Course and prognosis: Course and prognosis depend on the cause of the disease. Galactorrhea outside the lactation phase requires medical clarification in any case!
