Hormone imbalance/ lactation ?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2003
Hormone imbalance/ lactation ?
6
Sun, 09-07-2003 - 9:12pm
Well, I was about 4 days late, and having every symptom in the book, including lactation. My HPTs were coming out BFN, and my OPK were BFP. I went to the doctors on Saturday and he ran a HGC and Hormone check on my blood, he didn't think pregnant, but thought some sort of hormone imbalance causing lactation and pregnancy symptoms. This evening I got AF with a vengence very horrible cramps (I usually have none) and heavy bleeding.

Has anyone else had hormone imbalance problems with lactation, ect? I'm devestated about not being pregnant yet (ttc month 5 using Shettles method for girl- so we didn't expect instant results, but still). I'm mostly terrified that I have some type of problem that will involve treatments/more difficult or impossible time getting pregnant. I'm 25, DH is 32, and we had *no* problems concieving DD who is 4 1/2 now. We decided to have a baby, and boom, next month were pregnant.

Any advice?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2003
Sun, 09-07-2003 - 9:42pm
I had breast discharge about a year ago, I wouldn't call mine lactation. They did blood tests on me to check because there is a common one that will make you lactate or have discharge. From the way my Dr. acted it was no big deal. Have you googled it yet, it seems to me it was a "P" hormone, as in starts with but I can't remember. Remember you can also have "milk" from normal hormonal shifts (mine was) my Dr. told me to quit squeezing it out because I was stimulating it to keep going LOL.

Hope that helps.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2003
Sun, 09-07-2003 - 9:43pm
Sounds like you have a high prolactin level or hyperprolactinemia. Can be caused by a multitude of things, most of which are harmless. Can actully be caused by nipple stimulation and sex. I had a high prolactin level one time because the morning I went for blood work dh and I BD'd. The next time I had it drawn I wasn't allowed to do anything that would "stimulate" me, not even shower. I'm not really sure exactly what would cause you to be lactating (prolactin is the hormone that you secrete when you are lactating) when you aren't pg, so it is definately something you want to follow up with GYN. There is a ton of info out there, just go to any search engine like yahoo or aol and type in prolactin or hyperprolactinemia and you should get more info than you really wanted. Some of it is scary though, so don't panic until you talk to and follow up with your OB/GYN. Promis me you won't????

Desire'

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2003
Sun, 09-07-2003 - 10:08pm
Thanks to both of you for your replies. I will know tommorow, and I'm prone to freaking myself out, so I'll wait to hear what he says before I panic myself looking it up online. It's just hard. We really thought this was the month. Everything happens for a reason I suppose, keep your fingers crossed for me that this is nothing. Maybe next month will be our cycle.
Avatar for annemd03
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2003
Mon, 09-08-2003 - 12:50am
Hi,

I've had the same thing, I guess. I don't think it was lactation, just a clear discharge...started with just one nipple, then was both nipples. My doc was not at all concerned about it. What the other posters said about stimulation is right. Also, just could be some hormone shifts.

Definitely check with your doc to be sure though...but I've read that as long as it is not bloody or greenish, it should be okay.

Take care,

Anne

Anne - Proud Mommy to Rachel Elizabeth!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2003
Tue, 09-09-2003 - 10:23pm
Well, just a quick update. I got my test results back, and they said my prolactin level was 14, and that was normal. When I asked the nurse why I was lactating (which has stopped) and why my breasts still feel super tender and firm she said "I have no idea." Big help. Off to find a new doctor again I suppose. Anyone else have suggestions other than to continue charting and see what happens this month? I just *really* wish they would stop being so tender, Im tired of being in pain!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2003
Tue, 09-09-2003 - 10:39pm
Don't count out the power of suggestion you know mind over matter, your wanting to be PG, really focusing on what the symtoms would be and voila' they appear (that is so something I do LOL).

I was reading on another board here urmmmm the breastfeeding board, they were talking about nipple and breast soreness once AF started back up again while breastfeeding I think there were some vitimins they suggested taking which cut back on AF breast pain, I think maybe Calcium/magnesium combo or something. I'm sure you could ask there? They are really nice and would not chase you away or anything ;)