my period came and went away. my breasts are leaking. Am I pregnant?

Question

I'm so tired and achy, I took a test but it came out negative. My breasts are so swollen and leaking... If I am pregnant, I'm not far enough along to have all these symptoms, what's going on?

Just as a sidenote: I have had 2 children, and breastfed both of them. The youngest being 1 and a half and I stopped about 9 months ago breastfeeding him.

Answer 1

First of all, deep breath. I know it can be unnerving when your body pulls one of these "look what I can do to confuse you" moves.

It's perfectly normal to occassionally leak after weaning a child and can last for up to 3 years. You may want to try the tactics used for drying up your milk- tight bras and cold compresses, and tylenol (tm) for pain ect.

Another reason this may be happening is over stimulation of the breasts. If your partner is a breast person, then he may need to lay off until you've dried up completely. If he suckles or massages your breast, he could be sending the signal for your body to make more milk. The emontional bond with your partner combined with sexual arousal causes your body to produce the hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin is also responsible for milk ejection.

Stimulation to the breast and nipples can also be caused by an ill-fitting bra and/or clothing. If you wear something that is rubbing your nipples, it could be sending that signal to make more milk.

I would suspect that these things are mostly likely since you have breastfed recently.

A few medical conditions can cause breast leakage and pain, besides pregnancy. If you feel the above does not apply, see your doctor to investigate the following issues:

-a hormonal imbalance, especially elevated prolactin (the milk making hormone). Diagnosed with a blood test

-cystic breasts. Occasionally cysts develop which put pressure on the milk ducts. Diagnosed with a breast exam

-thyroid disorder (linked to hormone regulation). Diagnosed with a blood test

-Medicine, like anti-depressants, birth control, a are couple. Ruled out by changing medications.

-damage to the milk duct(s) and other unspecified causes, called "Duct Ectasia". Reserved for dianosis when nothing is left to rule out.

-non-cancerous tumors or lesions in the breast. Diagnosed through ultrasounds, biopsy, ect.

-Tumor on the pituitary gland. Diagnosed with MRI

-Cancer rarely causes breast discharge, but its always good to air on the side of caution. Diagnosed with breast exam and biopsy.

Some women are just easy lactaters and you may find that years from now, you still have issues with leaking breasts with no medical cause.

Answer 2

Because of the leaking from your breasts, this could be a symptom of something wrong with your pituitary gland (a gland at the back of your brain). I would recommend seeing your doctor for further evaluation to see what they think could be going on.